Project description:This study used SomaScan v 4.1 to profile>7000 proteins in human plasma and assess changes with Sars-Cov-2 infection and with Covid-19 disease severity in pregnant and non-pregnant individuals.
Project description:Pregnant women are more susceptible to influenza virus infections due to the immunological and physiological changes in the course of pregnancy. Vaccination during pregnancy is a safe and effective method for protecting both the mothers and the infants from influenza and its complications. This study was conducted in order to determine the knowledge and attitudes of Polish pregnant women towards influenza vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic. A questionnaire-based and self-administered study was carried out fully online and a total of 515 women participated. A total of 52% (n = 268) of surveyed women answered that vaccination against influenza during pregnancy was safe. However, only 21% (n = 108) were vaccinated against influenza during their current pregnancy and 17.5% (n = 90) intended to be vaccinated. The participants indicated many concerns about getting vaccinated during pregnancy, but also many benefits that come with the vaccination. General knowledge about influenza, its complications, and vaccination was quite high in the study group.
Project description:ObjectiveTo examine the association between initial COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and subsequent vaccination among pregnant and postpartum individuals.DesignProspective cohort.SettingA Midwestern tertiary-care academic medical center. Individuals completed a baseline vaccine hesitancy assessment from 22 March 2021 to 2 April 2021, with subsequent ascertainment of vaccination status at 3-6 months follow-up.MethodsWe used multivariable Poisson regression to estimate the relative risk of vaccination by baseline vaccine hesitancy status, and then characteristics associated with vaccination.Main outcome measuresSelf-report of COVID-19 vaccination, and secondarily, consideration of COVID-19 vaccination among those not vaccinated.ResultsOf 456 individuals (93% pregnant, 7% postpartum) initially surveyed, 290 individuals (64%; 23% pregnant, 77% postpartum) provided subsequent vaccination status (median = 17 weeks). Of these 290 individuals, 40% (116/290) reported COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy upon enrolment, of whom 52% reported subsequent vaccination at follow-up. Few individuals transitioned during the study period from vaccine hesitant to vaccinated (10%); in comparison, 80% of those who were not vaccine hesitant were vaccinated at follow-up (aRR 0.19, 95% CI 0.11-0.33). Among those who remained unvaccinated at follow-up, 38% who were vaccine hesitant at baseline were considering vaccination, compared with 71% who were not vaccine hesitant (aRR 0.48, 95% CI 0.33-0.67). Individuals who were older, parous, employed and of higher educational attainment were more likely to be vaccinated, and those who identified as non-Hispanic black, were Medicaid beneficiaries, and were still pregnant at follow-up were less likely to be vaccinated.ConclusionsCOVID-19 vaccine hesitancy persisted over time in the peripartum period, and few individuals who reported hesitancy at baseline were later vaccinated. Interventions that address vaccine hesitancy in pregnancy are needed.
Project description:ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess attitudes toward coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination and the degree of fear of COVID-19 among those living with obesity.MethodsTwo samples were recruited for an online survey: one sample was a representative sample of Canadians living with overweight and obesity (n = 1,089), and the second was a convenience sample of individuals recruited from obesity clinical services or patient organizations (n = 980). Respondents completed ratings of their comfort receiving a COVID-19 vaccination along with the Vaccine Hesitancy Scale and the Fear of COVID-19 Scale.ResultsApproximately one-third of respondents, regardless of sample or weight category, were not comfortable receiving a vaccination, and one-half expressed moderate or greater perceived risks of vaccination. Confidence in vaccinations was extremely low, especially for those in the clinical sample. Fear of COVID-19 was substantial and predicted attitudes toward vaccination. Females were less comfortable receiving the vaccine and perceived more risks than males.ConclusionsThese results suggest those living with obesity are highly ambivalent about COVID-19 vaccination. Despite their being at high risk, their confidence in vaccines is very low. Results suggest the need for patient-centered counseling, with a focus on shared decision-making to strengthen confidence and reduce perceived risk.
Project description:Pregnant individuals have an increased risk of severe illness from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Vaccination is an effective strategy to prevent severe illness and complications for pregnant individuals. Pregnant individuals are often excluded from research and remain hesitant to receive vaccination against COVID-19. It is pivotal to study factors related to vaccine uptake and hesitancy among pregnant individuals. We studied barriers and facilitators for pregnant individuals choice and motivation regarding vaccination against COVID-19 during pregnancy to aid future pregnant individuals in their decision to vaccinate against various infectious agents. In this qualitative study, pregnant individuals were interviewed between October 2021 and January 2022 using a semi-structured approach. A topic list was used to explore their feelings, perceptions and ideas regarding vaccination against COVID-19 during pregnancy. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematic analyses was performed using MAX QDA. After nine interviews, saturation was reached. Three main themes were identified that influenced pregnant individuals choice and motivation regarding vaccination: health consequences, ambiguity of information and societal motivation. Health consequences mainly concerned the effect for their offspring, and the unknown long-term effects of COVID-19 vaccination. The advice from the Dutch institute for Public Health and Environment changed from not vaccinating pregnant individuals after release of the developed vaccine, to routinely vaccinating all pregnant individuals after research data were available from the United States of America (USA). This change of policy fuelled doubt and confusion for vaccination. Arguments in favor of vaccination from the social perspective were specific behaviour rules and restrictions due to the pandemic. E.g. without vaccination people were unable to travel abroad and having to take a COVID-19 test every time entering a public place. Pregnant individuals need clear, unambiguous information concerning health consequences, short- and long-term, particularly for their offspring, in the decision-making process regarding COVID-19 vaccination. Additionally, the societal perspective needs to be addressed. Besides the aforementioned themes, general counselling should focus on misperceptions of vaccine safety and the role of misinformation which are also important in the non-pregnant population. This study underlines the importance of including pregnant individuals in research programs to obtain specific information targeted to their needs.
Project description:Trust in institutions and democracy may be a major contributor to the willingness to be vaccinated. We investigated these factors and others with regard to COVID-19 vaccine uptake in Germany. Even though effective vaccination is a major contributor to slowing down the current pandemic, vaccine hesitancy remains a major challenge. To analyze attitudes toward vaccine hesitancy, a web-based cross-sectional survey was used to understand and describe the influences of attitudes about vaccination against COVID-19 in the German population. A descriptive analysis for the entire dataset was carried out, and multiple proportional odds regression, path model, and structural equation modeling (SEM) were subsequently used to analyze any relationship between latent variables and COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. In total, 1092 responses from across Germany were analyzed. SEM modeling revealed that trust in institutions, trust in non-pharmaceutical interventions, and various demographic factors were associated with intent to vaccinate. Descriptive analysis and multiple proportional odds regression confirmed that a history of influenza vaccination and level of satisfaction with democratic institutions were highly predictive (p < 0.05) for COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Additionally, social determinants of health such as gender, age, number of children in the family, and the degree of satisfaction with life were also predictors (p < 0.05) for COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Results also demonstrated a significant relationship between receiving the flu vaccine and acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccination. Governments that provide COVID-19 vaccines and control messaging should strive for trust and transparency to maximize vaccine uptake. Government-based vaccine measures should also involve measures to communicate trust in democratic and scientific institutions.
Project description:BackgroundCOVID-19 vaccine hesitancy seems to be universal across countries and subgroups, and so are its determinants. We studied the willingness and factors associated with the decision to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in healthcare workers (HCW) in a Spanish tertiary hospital. Furthermore, we compared the percentage of willingness to vaccinate against COVID with actual vaccination rates among HCW in our hospital.MethodsFrom December 21, 2020 to January 4, 2021, before initiation of the COVID-19 HCW vaccination campaign at Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital (HUGTiP), an anonymous self-administered questionnaire was administered to HCW. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression of the association of variables with the outcome "intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible" was conducted. Vaccination rates were extracted from the hospital information systems.ResultsForty-four percent of HCW included in the study declared a willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible. This was associated with male sex [1.66 (95%CI 1.13-2.43); p = 0.009], older age [1.02 (95%CI 1.00-1.03); p = 0.014], belonging to the occupational groups "physician" or "other" [5.76 (95%CI 3.44-9.63) and 2.15 (95%CI 1.25-3.70); p<0.001], respectively, and reporting influenza vaccination during the last three seasons or at least one of the last three seasons [3.84 (95%CI 2.56-5.75) and 2.49 (95%CI 1.71-3.63); p<0.001]. One in ten hospital workers reported they were unwilling to receive COVID-19 vaccination. Actual COVID-19 vaccination uptake among HCW was higher (80.4%) than the percentage of willingness to vaccinate estimated from the questionnaire. Physicians not only had the highest vaccination rate, but also the highest correlation between the reported intention to vaccinate and the final decision to receive COVID-19 vaccination.ConclusionsCOVID-19 vaccination uptake was higher than previously estimated according to the stated intentions of HCW. Doubts and fears must be addressed, particularly in persons less inclined to be vaccinated: females, younger people and those not vaccinated against influenza in recent seasons. The study of barriers and strategies aimed at promoting COVID-19 vaccination must be adapted in relation to occupational groups' attitudes, understanding their idiosyncrasies with respect to this and other vaccines.
Project description:The development of COVID-19 vaccines is a major scientific accomplishment that has armed communities worldwide with powerful epidemic control tools. Yet, COVID-19 vaccination efforts in the US have been marred by persistent vaccine hesitancy. We used survey methodology to explore the impact of different cognitive and cultural factors on the public's general vaccination attitudes, attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccines, and COVID-19 vaccination status. The factors include information literacy, science literacy, attitudes towards science, interpersonal trust, public health trust, political ideology, and religiosity. The analysis suggests that attitudes towards vaccination are influenced by a multitude of factors that operate in a complex manner. General vaccination attitude was most affected by attitudes towards science and public health trust and to a lesser degree by information literacy, science literacy, and religiosity. Attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccines were most affected by public health trust and to a lesser extent by general trust, ideology and attitudes towards science. Vaccination status was most influenced by public health trust. Possible mediating effects of correlated variables in the model need to be further explored. The study underscores the importance of understanding the relationship between public health trust, literacies, and sociocultural factors.
Project description:BackgroundCOVID-19 vaccines are recommended for pregnant and lactating individuals, and there is substantial evidence for their safety and effectiveness. As the pandemic continues, information on worries and beliefs surrounding perinatal COVID-19 vaccination remains important to inform efforts aimed at improving vaccine uptake. Our objectives were to assess factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination among perinatal individuals; and to explore motivational factors associated with willingness to be vaccinated among unvaccinated perinatal individuals.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional web-based survey of preconception, pregnant, and lactating individuals in Canada. The outcomes of interest were vaccination with at least one dose of any COVID-19 vaccine and willingness to be vaccinated among unvaccinated individuals. Sample characteristics were summarized using frequencies and percentages. The association between eight prespecified risk factors and two outcomes (vaccination status and willingness to be vaccinated) was assessed by logistic regression. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for the total sample, and across perinatal sub-groups.ResultsAmong 3446 survey respondents, there were 447 (13.0%) preconception, 1832 (53.2%) pregnant, and 1167 (42.4%) lactating. There were 1460 (42.4%) and 1982 (57.5%) who were vaccinated and unvaccinated, respectively. Factors positively associated with COVID-19 vaccine status were speaking to a healthcare provider about vaccination during the perinatal period (aOR:2.35, 95% CI:1.97-2.80) and believing that the COVID-19 vaccine is effective (aOR:1.91, 95% CI:1.46-2.48). Factors negatively associated with vaccine status included worries about fetal growth and development (aOR:0.55, 95% CI:0.43-0.70) and future child behavioral/neurodevelopmental problems (aOR:0.59, 95% CI:0.46-0.75). Among unvaccinated individuals specifically, characteristics positively associated with willingness to vaccinate were speaking to a healthcare provider (aOR:1.67, 95% CI:1.32-2.12) and believing the COVID-19 vaccine is effective (aOR:3.56, 95% CI:2.70-4.69). Factors negatively associated with willingness were concerns over infertility (aOR:0.66, 95% CI:0.49-0.88), fetal growth and development (aOR:0.33, 95% CI:0.24-0.46), and future child behavioral/neurodevelopmental problems (aOR:0.64, 95% CI:0.48-0.84).ConclusionsIn this Canadian perinatal population, approximately 42% reported COVID-19 vaccination. Among unvaccinated individuals, willingness to receive vaccination was high (73%). Factors enhancing vaccine willingness included discussions with healthcare providers and believing the vaccine was effective. Concerns regarding vaccine safety, particularly with respect to fetal/child development, were the greatest barriers to vaccine uptake.