Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

J Community Health 2021 Apr 20. Epub 2021 Apr 20.

School of Population Health, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43606, USA.

COVID-19 vaccines were approved in late 2020 and early 2021 for public use in countries across the world. Several studies have now highlighted COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy in the general public. However, little is known about the nature and extent of COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy in healthcare workers worldwide. Read More

J Epidemiol Glob Health 2021 Apr 3. Epub 2021 Apr 3.

Center for Communicable Diseases Control, Ministry of Health & Medical Education, Tehran, Iran.

Ensuring the effectiveness of the (DTwP-Hib-HepB) vaccine in reducing meningitis is an essential approach in evaluating the effectiveness of the vaccine. The study aimed to address the epidemiology of meningitis following pentavalent vaccination in Iran. Data on meningitis patients from 21st March 2011 to 21st July 2018 were extracted from the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System. Read More

Health Educ Behav 2021 Apr 17:10901981211001863. Epub 2021 Apr 17.

University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

To improve uptake of influenza vaccine in pregnancy, it is important to understand the factors that predict prenatal vaccination. The aim of this study was to test the capability of the theory of planned behavior, augmented with information constructs, to predict and explain influenza vaccination uptake in a sample of 600 pregnant individuals in Canada. A baseline survey at the start of influenza season assessed beliefs, norms, perceived control, and information-seeking behavior related to influenza vaccination in pregnancy, as well as respondent demographics. Read More

Front Immunol 2021 25;12:639358. Epub 2021 Mar 25.

Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States.

People living with HIV (PWH) often exhibit poor responses to influenza vaccination despite effective combination anti-retroviral (ART) mediated viral suppression. There exists a paucity of data in identifying immune correlates of influenza vaccine response in context of HIV infection that would be useful in improving its efficacy in PWH, especially in younger individuals. Transcriptomic data were obtained by microarray from whole blood isolated from aviremic pediatric and adolescent HIV-infected individuals (4-25 yrs) given two doses of Novartis/H1N1 09 vaccine during the pandemic H1N1 influenza outbreak. Read More

Prev Med 2021 Apr 14:106560. Epub 2021 Apr 14.

Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Vasco de Quiroga 15, Col. Belisario Domínguez Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Mexico City 14080, Mexico.

Adherence of healthcare workers (HCWs) to influenza vaccination is far from optimal despite its being the most effective intervention for preventing influenza. In order to evaluate factors associated with influenza vaccination acceptance among Mexican HCWs during the 2017-2018 influenza season, a multicenter cross-sectional study spanning public and private hospitals was conducted. Participants were consecutively invited to answer a self-administered questionnaire. Read More

Am J Transplant 2021 Apr 17. Epub 2021 Apr 17.

Clinic of Nephrology and Renal Transplantation NKUA, Medical School, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, Greece.

Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients represent a high-risk group for all SARS-COV-2 infection-related adverse outcomes. Therefore, most European countries have established prioritization of SOTrecipients in their vaccination programs. Suboptimal vaccine efficacy to the SARS-COV-2 vaccines is anticipated; however, they have been excluded from vaccination trials. Read More

PLoS One 2021 16;16(4):e0250123. Epub 2021 Apr 16.

Rady School of Management, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America.

How do attitudes toward vaccination change over the course of a public health crisis? We report results from a longitudinal survey of United States residents during six months (March 16 -August 16, 2020) of the COVID-19 pandemic. Contrary to past research suggesting that the increased salience of a disease threat should improve attitudes toward vaccines, we observed a decrease in intentions of getting a COVID-19 vaccine when one becomes available. We further found a decline in general vaccine attitudes and intentions of getting the influenza vaccine. Read More

Hum Vaccin Immunother 2021 Apr 16:1-8. Epub 2021 Apr 16.

Department of Pediatrics, Prof. Dr. Medipol University School of Medicine, İstanbul, Turkey.

Developing an effective and safe vaccine against Covid-19 will facilitate return to normal. Due to hesitation toward the vaccine, it is crucial to explore the acceptability of the COVID-19 vaccine to the public and healthcare workers. In this cross-sectional survey, we invited 2251 pediatricians and 506 (22%) of them responded survey and 424 (84%) gave either nasopharyngeal swap or antibody assay for COVID-19 and 71 (14%) of them got diagnosis of COVID-19. Read More

Pharmacoecon Open 2021 Apr 16. Epub 2021 Apr 16.

GSK, 5 Crescent Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19118, USA.

Background: Adult vaccination rates in the USA are generally low and fall short of public health goals.

Objectives: Our aim was to evaluate the effect of state-level characteristics on adult vaccination coverage in the USA.

Methods: This study was a cross-sectional, retrospective analysis of 2015-2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data, conducted from March to October 2019 and including seasonal influenza; pneumococcal; tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap); and herpes zoster (HZ) vaccines. Read More

Hum Vaccin Immunother 2021 Apr 15:1-6. Epub 2021 Apr 15.

Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic.

Protection of healthcare workers (HCWs) against influenza is essential for patient health and a functional health system. The study aimed to analyze the demand for seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) among various groups of HCWs in a tertiary care hospital before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify their motives for this season's SIV. Before this influenza season (2020/21), the hospital management offered free SIV to all HCWs and promoted it on the internal network. Read More

Acta Biomed 2021 03 25;92(S2):e2021004. Epub 2021 Mar 25.

Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome (Italy).

Background And Aim Of The Work: Influenza is a disease that affects a large part of the world's population annually, with major health, social and economic impacts. Active immunisation practices have always been recommended to counter influenza, especially for people at risk. The recommendations of major health agencies strongly advise influenza vaccination for all healthcare workers, mostly for those in contact with at-risk or immunocompromised individuals. Read More

Pediatr Qual Saf 2021 Mar-Apr;6(2):e430. Epub 2021 Apr 5.

Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wis.

Introduction: Vaccine hesitancy and delays in vaccine administration time have limited the success of prior influenza vaccination initiatives in the pediatric emergency department (ED). In 2018-2019, season 1, this ED implemented mandatory vaccine screening and offered the vaccine to all eligible patients; however, only 9% of the eligible population received the vaccine. In 2019-2020, season 2, the team sought to improve influenza vaccination rates from 9% to 15% and administer over 2,000 vaccines to eligible ED patients. Read More

JAAD Case Rep 2021 Apr 10;10:116-118. Epub 2021 Mar 10.

Skin and Cancer Associates, Plantation, Florida.

BMJ 2021 04 14;373:n913. Epub 2021 Apr 14.

Edinburgh Napier University and NHS Lanarkshire, Edinburgh, UK.

Epidemiol Mikrobiol Imunol 2021 ;70(1):68-71

In times of COVID-19 pandemics, the upcoming period of the year when influenza activity usually increases in the Northern Hemisphere brings new medical and public health challenges. These challenges include the risk of mixed infections and/or a possible collision of the two epidemics (“twindemia”) with a potentially serious impact on individual health and public health. In this report, we discuss the results of the published stu-dies and conclude that the catastrophic collision of the seasonal influenza and COVID-19 epidemics is unlikely when efficient non-pharmaceutical public health measures are applied to control or mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic. Read More

J Infect Dis 2021 Apr 14. Epub 2021 Apr 14.

Departments of Molecular Virology and Microbiology and Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America.

Background: Safe, effective and easy to deploy adjuvants are needed for influenza pre-pandemic preparedness. Based on recent reports we hypothesized that pre-application of topical imiquimod followed by intradermal (ID) vaccination with monovalent inactivated influenza A/H5N1 vaccine (MIV A/H5N1) results in improved serologic responses.

Methods: We randomized 50 healthy adults in a 1:1 ratio to receive topical imiquimod (Group 1) or control cream (Group 2) followed by ID injection of 9µg of the hemagglutinin (HA) MIV A/H5N1 in two doses, 21 days apart. Read More

Vaccine 2021 Apr 10. Epub 2021 Apr 10.

Canadian Center for Vaccinology, IWK Health Centre, 5980 University Ave, B3K 6R8 Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University IWK Health Centre, 5850 University Avenue, P. O. Box 9700, B3K 6R8 Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Electronic address:

Background: The World Health Organization recommends immunization with inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) and tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine during pregnancy. Yet, product labelling information for IIV and Tdap sends a different message. In a previous study, we developed evidence-based statements about vaccination in pregnancy that could be included in product information. Read More

PLoS One 2021 13;16(4):e0249785. Epub 2021 Apr 13.

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.

Introduction: Seasonal influenza is a major global health problem causing substantial morbidity and health care costs. Yet, in many countries, the rates of influenza vaccination remain low. Chronic kidney or liver diseases (CKLD) predispose patients to severe influenza infections, but data on vaccination acceptance and status is limited in this risk population. Read More

Vaccine 2021 Apr 9. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Pharmacy Department, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester LE1 5WW, United Kingdom.

Objectives: Pharmacy staff working in hospitals are at risk of contracting and disseminating influenza. Previous research focuses on community pharmacists' attitudes towards influenza and vaccination. This survey investigates the beliefs and attitudes of pharmacists and other pharmacy staff working in English Hospitals regarding influenza and the vaccine and how this relates to vaccine uptake. Read More

West J Nurs Res 2021 Apr 13:1939459211005710. Epub 2021 Apr 13.

Donald W. Reynolds Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence, Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.

Immunosenescence and comorbidities increase the susceptibility of older adults with diabetes mellitus (DM) to vaccine-preventable diseases, hospitalization, disability, or death. This systematic review synthesizes research on protecting older adults with DM during pandemics, exploring vaccine safety, tolerance, and vaccination uptake by older adults in anticipation of seasonal influenza outbreaks during the current COVID-19 threat. Addressed were: (a) age-related factors influencing the effectiveness of vaccines against infectious disease in older adults; (b) vaccine safety, tolerance, effectiveness for older persons with DM; and (c) issues affecting older adults accepting immunization recommendations. Read More

Hum Vaccin Immunother 2021 Apr 12:1-4. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

University of Antwerp, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Master of Nursing and Midwifery, Campus Drie Eiken, Wilrijk, Belgium.

: The Belgian Superior Health Council recommends seasonal influenza vaccination for people working in the health care sector in order to reduce the risk of the influenza virus being transmitted to people at risk. The aim of this study is to provide more insight into the current vaccination rate in nurses and health care professionals in emergency services in Flanders. In addition, the influence of influenza vaccination on absenteeism will be investigated, as well as the motivation to get vaccinated or not. Read More

Front Public Health 2021 25;9:570098. Epub 2021 Mar 25.

Centro de Investigación Aplicada a la Salud Pública (CIASaP), School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Sinaloa, Culiacan, Mexico.

The first cases of unexplained pneumonia were reported in Wuhan, China, in December of 2019. Later, a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) was identified as the causal agent of pneumonia. This virus has since spread to more than 180 countries and has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. Read More

Clin Transl Immunology 2021 5;10(4):e1269. Epub 2021 Apr 5.

School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences The University of Queensland St Lucia QLD Australia.

Objectives: Efforts to develop and deploy effective vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continue at pace. Here, we describe rational antigen design through to manufacturability and vaccine efficacy of a prefusion-stabilised spike (S) protein, Sclamp, in combination with the licensed adjuvant MF59 'MF59C.1' (Seqirus, Parkville, Australia). Read More

J Am Med Dir Assoc 2021 Apr 7. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Department of Health Services, Policy, and Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA; Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA; Center of Innovation in Long-Term Services and Supports, Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA.

Objectives: Quantify how observable characteristics contribute to influenza vaccination disparities among White, Black, and Hispanic nursing home (NH) residents.

Design: Retrospective cohort.

Setting And Participants: Short- and long-stay U. Read More

Support Care Cancer 2021 Apr 10. Epub 2021 Apr 10.

Department of Biostatics and Epidemiology, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Science, Yazd, Iran.

Background: According to the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), getting influenza vaccines during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemics is especially important for people with certain underlying medical conditions, like cancer. Due to the similarities between the symptoms of influenza and COVID-19, receiving the flu vaccine in suspicious cases can be helpful because it will make it easier to request a medical test and diagnosis. In this study, the value of influenza vaccination in the cancer population was investigated. Read More

BMC Public Health 2021 Apr 9;21(1):703. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Department of Broadcasting and Television, School of Journalism and Information Communication, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430000, People's Republic of China.

Background: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) makes certain recommendations including the annual influenza vaccination of pregnant and pre-pregnant women during influenza (flu) season with an inactivated influenza vaccine as soon as it becomes available. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices in association with ACOG state that the vaccine is safe to be given any trimester during pregnancy. However, due to a lack of communication, the public is unaware of the effects of influenza A vaccination in pregnancy. Read More

Virus Res 2021 Apr 6;299:198421. Epub 2021 Apr 6.

Clinical Research Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address:

The world has gone through the critical phase of SARS-CoV-2 crisis caused by the new variants of the virus. The globally concerted effort to characterize viral genomic mutations across different clades has revealed several changes in the coding and also non-coding regions which might lead to a violent presentation or re-infection occurrence. Here, we studied a COVID-19 subject who represented the symptoms following the full recovery of the first infection. Read More

RMD Open 2021 Apr;7(1)

Rheumatology, Rheumazentrum Ruhrgebiet, Herne, Germany.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of infections, prevalence of hospitalisation due to infections, the vaccination status and perceived screening of infections prior to the start of biologic disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) of a patient cohort with chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases (CIRD).

Methods: Consecutive CIRD patients reporting to our specialised centre were prospectively included (n=975) in this cross-sectional study. Data on comorbidities including infections, treatment, vaccination status, screening for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and hepatitis B (HepB) were collected. Read More

Med Clin (Barc) 2021 Apr 5. Epub 2021 Apr 5.

Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario Río Hortega, Valladolid, España.

Influenza infection has been identified as a triggering or exacerbating factor for cardiovascular events. To analyse the effect of influenza vaccination on cardiovascular disease, a systematic search of studies published between 2009-2019 was conducted. All the studies that evaluated the effect of vaccination against influenza on cardiovascular events and their outcome were considered. Read More

Expert Rev Vaccines 2021 Apr 8. Epub 2021 Apr 8.

Department of Pediatrics, Section of Infectious Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX.

Introduction: Pregnant women are at higher risk of severe complications following influenza infection compared to the general population. Influenza vaccination during pregnancy can offer direct protection to pregnant women and passive immunity to infants up to six months of age via maternal antibodies. Pregnant women are a high priority group for influenza immunization. Read More