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When do children avoid infection risks: Lessons for schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ABSTRACT: The physical closing of schools because of COVID-19 has disrupted both student learning and family logistics. There is significant pressure for in-person learning to remain open for all children. However, as is expected with outbreaks of novel infections, vaccines and other pharmaceutical therapeutics may not be instantly available. This raises serious public health questions about the risks to children and society at large. The best protective measures for keeping young children in school focus on behaviors that limit transmission. It is therefore critical to understand how we can engage children in age-appropriate ways that will best support their ability to adhere to protocols effectively. Here, we synthesize published studies with new results to investigate the earliest ages at which children form an understanding of infection risk and when they can translate that understanding effectively to protective action.

SUBMITTER: Fefferman NH

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8881814 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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When do children avoid infection risks: Lessons for schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fefferman Nina H NH Blacker Katy-Ann KA Price Charles A CA LoBue Vanessa V

iScience 20220226 4

The physical closing of schools because of COVID-19 has disrupted both student learning and family logistics. There is significant pressure for in-person learning to remain open for all children. However, as is expected with outbreaks of novel infections, vaccines and other pharmaceutical therapeutics may not be instantly available. This raises serious public health questions about the risks to children and society at large. The best protective measures for keeping young children in school focus ...[more]

PMID: 35252803

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Project description:BackgroundDuring the COVID-19 pandemic corruption risks were amplified in health systems globally, increasing health inequities within and between countries. During the pandemic, the deployment of COVID-19 vaccines, particularly concerning their procurement and distribution, had corruption risks given the large amounts of public and private funding allocated to them, the need for speed, the involvement of a high number of stakeholders, and often insufficient oversight. To explore this issue further, we conducted a descriptive, qualitative study of corruption risks in the COVID-19 vaccine deployment process.MethodsWe conducted a descriptive, qualitative study triangulating two data sources between May and August 2022: (1) published academic and grey literature and (2) key informant interviews with representatives from organizations involved with the COVAX Facility, representatives from COVAX donor and recipient countries, and individuals with expert knowledge of the COVID-19 vaccine deployment process (e.g., consultants for international organizations involved in COVID-19 vaccine deployment, members of non-governmental organizations, etc.).ResultsWe identified 44 academic articles and policy documents and triangulated. Documentary data with 16 key informant interviews. A review of the literature identified several corruption risks in the international COVID-19 vaccine procurement and distribution process such as a lack of transparency in the vaccine procurement process; a lack of transparency in the operation of the COVAX Facility; a risk of bribery; and a risk of vaccine theft or the introduction of substandard and falsified vaccines at the point of distribution. Key informants further articulated concerns about a lack of transparency in vaccine pricing and contracts and the exclusion of civil society organizations from the vaccine deployment process. Reported anti-corruption, transparency, and accountability (ACTA) mechanisms implemented across the many levels of the vaccine procurement and distribution deployment included institutional oversight processes, blockchain-based supply-chain solutions, and civil society engagements.ConclusionPublic health emergencies require nimble and quick actions on the part of governments, international organizations and other actors Our study on the COVID-19 vaccine deployment process highlights the pressing need for more robust ACTA mechanisms to reduce corruption risks and ensure fair and equitable access to lifesaving vaccines for populations.

Project description:IntroductionOver the past 5 years, substantial global investment has resulted in reduced TB incidence rates by 9% and mortality rates by 14%. However, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has hindered access and availability of TB services to maintain robust TB control. The objective of this rapid review was to describe the challenges to be addressed and recommendations to strengthen health system preparedness for optimal TB control across low- and middle-income countries during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsFive databases were used to systematically search for relevant articles published in 2020. The 5-step framework proposed by Arskey and O'Malley and adapted by Levac et al. guided the review process. Thematic analysis with grounded theory principles was used to summarize themes from selected articles and integrate analyses with barriers reported from authors' previous TB research.ResultsOf the 218 peer-reviewed articles, 20 articles met the inclusion criteria. Four emerging themes described challenges: (1) unprepared health system leadership and infrastructure, (2) coexisting health priorities, (3) insufficient health care workforce support for continued training and appropriate workplace environments, and (4) weak connections to primary health centers hindering community engagement. Four recommendations were highlighted: (1) ensuring leadership and governance for sustainable national health budgets, (2) building networks of community stakeholders, (3) supporting health care workforce training and safe workplace environments, and (4) using digital health interventions for TB care.ConclusionsNational health systems must promote patient-centered TB care, implement ethical community interventions, support operational research, and integrate appropriate eHealth applications. TB program managers and primary care practitioners can serve as instrumental leaders and patient advocates to deliver high-quality and sustainable TB care that leads to achieving the targets of the End TB Strategy.

Dataset Information

When do children avoid infection risks: Lessons for schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Publications

When do children avoid infection risks: Lessons for schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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