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Salem-Bango L, Hasan MA, Agbogan JA, Miah L, Antoine C, Tonon B, Spiegel P, Altare C. COVID-19 Epidemiology in Fragile Contexts: A Descriptive Analysis of COVID-19 in Host Communities in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh During the First Year of the Pandemic. Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2024; 18:e318. [PMID: 39703006 DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2024.304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In 2020, COVID-19 modeling studies predicted rapid epidemic growth and quickly overwhelmed health systems in humanitarian and fragile settings due to preexisting vulnerabilities and limited resources. Despite the growing evidence from Bangladesh, no study has examined the epidemiology of COVID-19 in out-of-camp settings in Cox's Bazar during the first year of the pandemic (March 2020-March 2021). This paper aims to fill this gap. METHODS Secondary data analyses were conducted on case and testing data from the World Health Organization and the national health information system via the District Health Information Software 2. RESULTS COVID-19 in Cox's Bazar was characterized by a large peak in June 2020, followed by a smaller wave in August/September and a new wave from March 2021. Males were more likely to be tested than females (68% vs. 32%, P < 0.001) and had higher incidence rates (305.29/100 000 males vs. 114.90/100 000 female, P < 0.001). Mortality was significantly associated with age (OR: 87.3; 95% CI: 21.03-350.16, P < 0.001) but not sex. Disparities existed in testing and incidence rates among upazilas. CONCLUSIONS Incidence was lower than expected, with indicators comparable to national-level data. These findings are likely influenced by the younger population age, high isolation rates, and low testing capacity. With testing extremely limited, true incidence and mortality rates are likely higher, highlighting the importance of improving disease surveillance in fragile settings. Data incompleteness and fragmentation were the main study limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay Salem-Bango
- Center for Humanitarian Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Paul Spiegel
- Center for Humanitarian Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Chiara Altare
- Center for Humanitarian Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Kamruzzaman M, Rahman A, Reidpath DD, Akhter S. Risk communication and community engagement in the context of COVID-19 response in Bangladesh: a qualitative study. Front Public Health 2024; 11:1267446. [PMID: 38249367 PMCID: PMC10799557 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1267446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The global COVID-19 pandemic profoundly impacted nations worldwide, and Bangladesh was no exception. In response, the government of Bangladesh implemented community awareness initiatives aimed at containing the spread of the virus, aligned with international guidelines and recommendations. Despite these efforts, a lack of comprehensive community awareness programs played an essential role during the pandemic, not the preventive measures. A qualitative study employing framing theory was conducted to gain a deeper insight into how the social context influenced risk communication and community response throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. Methods The study was conducted in four selected districts of Bangladesh from February to May 2022 using complementary data collection methods, including key informant interviews, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions with purposely selected participants. Data were analyzed thematically by following six steps of the thematic analysis process. Codes were developed based on the data and summarized into themes and sub-themes grounded on the codes. Results The findings indicate that the government of Bangladesh, along with development partners and non-government organizations, made a significant effort to raise awareness about COVID-19 in the community. However, there were certain limitations to this effort. These include a lack of social science and public health approaches to understanding the pandemic; inadequate coordination among the authorities for COVID-19 prevention and control; technological and geographical barriers for disseminating messages; the living conditions and lack of facilities; socio-cultural norms in understanding the COVID-19 health messages, and the gendered understanding of the messages. The findings also revealed that the awareness activities remained a one-way approach to inform the people and faced challenges to actively engage and create ownership of the community in the pandemic response. Conclusion The study identified gaps in implementing risk communication and community engagement strategies in Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic. Increasing focus on public health and prioritizing community ownership is essential to designing a more effective community awareness campaign. This approach will help ensure that health messages are communicated effectively and tailored to different communities' needs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aminur Rahman
- Health Systems and Population Studies Division, ICDDR,B, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Daniel D. Reidpath
- Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, Scotland
| | - Sadika Akhter
- Health Systems and Population Studies Division, ICDDR,B, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Chowdhury AT, Kundu S, Sultana ZZ, Hijazi HHA, Hossain A. A formative research to explore the programmatic approach of vaccinating the Rohingya refugees and host communities against COVID-19 infection in Bangladesh. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:937. [PMID: 37653364 PMCID: PMC10472616 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09945-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The vaccination of the Rohingya refugees and host communities against COVID-19 in Cox's Bazar started in August 2021. Government authorities and Non-Government Organisation partners implemented a project around the initial period of vaccination to improve awareness and access to target beneficiaries. We conducted formative research to understand the programmatic approach of this project and identify potential challenges and community perceptions regarding immunisation against COVID-19. METHODOLOGY This was formative research in which we used a qualitative method of data collection. Purposively chosen 12 key-informant interviews and conveniently chosen 20 in-depth interviews were conducted using semi-structured interview guidelines from August to September 2022 in the Rohingya camp and host communities of Cox's Bazar District, Bangladesh. Ethical approval was obtained from the North South University Institutional Review Board, and written informed consent was obtained from all the participants. We used a thematic analysis approach to analyse the data. RESULTS The project neither provided any promotional or tailored messages regarding the COVID-19 vaccine nor conducted any vaccine hesitancy surveys before implementing the project. The project did not provide any storage facilities for the vaccines' cold chain management but provided transport support to carry the vaccines from the district to the sub-district level. Community leaders were included in the decision-making process during local-level planning of the vaccination programme. The project supported the reporting of any adverse effects following immunisation from community members to the government health authorities. Vaccine hesitancy among participants was high in the early stages, but mass campaigns and vaccination of frontline health workers increased their acceptance. The major challenges reported by the informants were low budget and lower salaries of field staff, stacking of the registration process at the beginning, reluctance of participants, inadequate transportation and manpower, and inadequate baby feeding corners at vaccination centers. CONCLUSION The findings from our study will help policymakers from the Government, the UN, and other humanitarian agencies to adapt and better address the issue of vaccine acceptance and strengthen the vaccination programme.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Satyajit Kundu
- Global Health Institute, North South University, Dhaka, 1229 Bangladesh
| | - Zeeba Zahra Sultana
- Global Health Institute, North South University, Dhaka, 1229 Bangladesh
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Heba Hesham Ali Hijazi
- College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27273 United Arab Emirates
- Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, 22110 Jordan
| | - Ahmed Hossain
- Global Health Institute, North South University, Dhaka, 1229 Bangladesh
- College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27273 United Arab Emirates
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Riding the Pandemic Waves—Lessons to Be Learned from the COVID-19 Crisis Management in Romania. Trop Med Infect Dis 2022; 7:tropicalmed7070122. [PMID: 35878134 PMCID: PMC9316926 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7070122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Revised: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
In our analysis, we assessed how Romania dealt with the numerous challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic during 2021. In that year, the government had to deal with two waves of COVID-19 pandemics caused by the new variants, the low vaccination rate of the population, the overload of the healthcare system and political instability at the same time. Based on publicly available databases and international literature, we evaluated government measures aimed at reducing the spread of the pandemic and ensure the operation of the healthcare workforce and infrastructure. In addition, we evaluated measures to provide health services effectively and the government’s pandemic responses regarding excess mortality in 2021. In the absence of a complex monitoring system, limited information was available on the spread of the pandemic or the various risk factors at play. Due to incomplete and inadequate management systems, the government was unable to implement timely and adequate measures. Our analysis concludes that the management of a pandemic can only be successful if data are collected and evaluated using complex systems in a timely manner, and if members of society adhere to clearly communicated government measures due to high levels of trust in the government.
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Islam MK, Hasan P, Sharif MM, Khan TD, Ratul RH, Hossain FS, Molla MMA. Hyponatremia in COVID-19 patients: Experience from Bangladesh. Health Sci Rep 2022; 5:e565. [PMID: 35308417 PMCID: PMC8919453 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The purpose of the study was to measure the prevalence of hyponatremia and its association with clinical and laboratory characteristics of hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH). Methods This retrospective study was conducted in COVID-19 dedicated wards at DMCH from June to August 2020. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected from patient treatment sheets. Two groups of COVID-19 patients were retrospectively screened on the basis of plasma sodium level at admission: hyponatremic (sodium < 135 mM, n = 84) or normonatremic (sodium ≥ 135 mM, n = 48) patients. Severity was assessed using World Health Organization classification for COVID-19 disease severity. To compare the two groups, Pearson's χ 2 (qualitative variables) and Student's T tests (quantitative variables) were applied. The link between patients' clinical data and outcomes was investigated using logistic regression model. Results A total of 132 patients were included in the study, with a mean age of 51.41 (±14.13) years. Hyponatremia was found in 84 patients (63.6%) and the remaining 48 patients (36.4%) had normal plasma Na+ values. Among them, 74 (56.06%) presented with severe disease and 53 (40.15%) with moderate disease. At presentation, patients with moderate COVID-19 disease had 2.15 (1.04-4.5) times higher odds of suffering from hyponatremia. Besides, hyponatremia was independently associated with on admission SpO2 (p = 0.038), hemoglobin (p = 0.004), and C-reactive protein (p = 0.001). Conclusions The authors suggest that patients' serum electrolytes be measured during initial hospital admission and then monitored throughout the hospital stay to predict the probability for referral for invasive ventilation and for better management.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pratyay Hasan
- Department of MedicineDhaka Medical College HospitalDhakaBangladesh
| | | | | | | | | | - Md. Maruf Ahmed Molla
- Department of VirologyNational Institute of Laboratory Medicine and Referral CenterDhakaBangladesh
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Mistry SK, Ali AM, Yadav UN, Huda MN, Parray AA, Mahumud RA, Mitra D. COVID-19 vaccination coverage is extremely low among older population in Bangladesh: findings from a cross-sectional study. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2022; 18:2030624. [PMID: 35176969 PMCID: PMC8993133 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2022.2030624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
This cross-sectional study was conducted in September 2021 among 1,045 Bangladeshi older adults aged 60 years or above to explore the COVID-19 vaccination coverage and its associated factors. We used a semi-structured questionnaire to collect data on participants' sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics, and COVID-19 related information (selected based on an extensive literature review). A multinomial logistic regression model was used to identify the factors independently associated with vaccine receipt. Nearly, two-thirds of the participants (64.5%) were unvaccinated and 12.5% received a single dose. Among the unvaccinated, approximately 94% reported that there was a problem in accessing the vaccine. We found that participants with formal schooling had 42% lower risk of being unvaccinated (RRR (Relative Risk Ratio) = 0.58, 95% CI 0.42-0.80) or 39% lower risk of receiving a single dose (RRR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.39-0.96) than the participants having no formal schooling. The middle family monthly income groups had 65% higher risk (RRR = 1.65, 95% CI 1.17-2.32) and rural participants had 84% higher risk (RRR = 1.84, 95% CI 1.26-2.70) of not receiving vaccines compared to their counterparts. Also, the participants with non-communicable chronic conditions had a significantly lower risk of being unvaccinated (RRR = 0.49, 95% CI 0.35-0.68) or receiving a single dose (RRR = 0.49, 95% CI 0.31-0.77) compared to their counterparts. This finding may help strengthen the existing efforts to maximize vaccine coverage among older populations in Bangladesh and reach herd immunity to break the transmission chain and gain greater overall population protection more rapidly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabuj Kanti Mistry
- Department of Health Research, ARCED Foundation, Dhaka, Bangladesh.,Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Brac James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.,Department of Public Health, Daffodil International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Arm Mehrab Ali
- Department of Health Research, ARCED Foundation, Dhaka, Bangladesh.,Global Research and Data Support, Innovations for Poverty Action, USA New Haven, CT
| | - Uday Narayan Yadav
- Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Research School of Population Health, The Australian National University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Md Nazmul Huda
- School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Campbeltown, NSW, Australia.,School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ateeb Ahmad Parray
- Brac James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Rashidul Alam Mahumud
- NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Dipak Mitra
- Department of Public Health, School of Health and Life Sciences, North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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Lee C, Holroyd TA, Gur-Arie R, Sauer M, Zavala E, Paul AM, Shattuck D, Karron RA, Limaye RJ. COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among Bangladeshi adults: Understanding predictors of vaccine intention to inform vaccine policy. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0261929. [PMID: 35025903 PMCID: PMC8758095 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of COVID-19 vaccine intention among Bangladeshi adults. METHODS Secondary data from the COVID-19 Beliefs, Behaviors & Norms Survey conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Facebook were analyzed. Data were collected from 2,669 adult Facebook users in Bangladesh and was collected between February 15 and February 28, 2021. Binomial logistic regression examined the relationship between COVID-19 vaccination intent and demographic variables, risk perception, preventive behaviors, COVID-19 knowledge, and likelihood of future actions. RESULTS Seventy-nine percent of respondents reported intent to get the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available. Intent to get vaccinated was highest among females, adults aged 71-80, individuals with college or graduate-level degrees, city dwellers, and individuals who perceived that they were in excellent health. Results of the binomial logistic regression indicated that predictors of vaccination intent include age (OR = 1.39), high risk perception of COVID-19 (OR = 1.47), and intent to practice social distancing (OR = 1.22). DISCUSSION Findings suggest that age, perceived COVID-19 risk, and non-pharmaceutical COVID-19 interventions may predict COVID-19 vaccination intent among Bangladeshi adults. Findings can be used to create targeted messaging to increase demand for and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines in Bangladesh.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarice Lee
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
- International Vaccine Access Center, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Taylor A. Holroyd
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
- International Vaccine Access Center, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Rachel Gur-Arie
- Berman Institute of Bioethics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Oxford-Johns Hopkins Global Infectious Disease Ethics Collaborative, Oxford, United Kingdom, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Molly Sauer
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
- International Vaccine Access Center, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Eleonor Zavala
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Alicia M. Paul
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
- International Vaccine Access Center, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
- Department of Health, Behavior & Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, United States of America
| | - Dominick Shattuck
- JHU-CCP, Johns Hopkins University Center for Communication Programs, Baltimore
| | - Ruth A. Karron
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
- Center for Immunization Research, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore
| | - Rupali J. Limaye
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
- International Vaccine Access Center, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
- Department of Health, Behavior & Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, United States of America
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Hossain MJ, Rahman SMA, Emran TB, Mitra S, Islam MR, Dhama K. Recommendation and Roadmap of Mass Vaccination against Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic in Bangladesh as a Lower-Middle-Income Country. ARCHIVES OF RAZI INSTITUTE 2021; 76:1815-1822. [PMID: 35546989 DOI: 10.22092/ari.2021.356357.1824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Low-income countries (LICs) and lower-middle-income countries (LMICs) are still deprived of the optimum doses of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines for their population, equal access and distribution, as well as mass immunization roadmaps to be implemented for achieving herd immunity and protection from the ongoing pandemic. In this short report, we are interacting with the world public health experts, as well as national and global leaders for warranting the mass vaccination drive to be more progressive against COVID-19 with equitable access of vaccines to LICs or LMICs to save the lives of the poorest country people and refugees. From several scientific databases, such as Google Scholar, PubMed, as well as national and international news websites, the data were collected data by utilizing appropriate keywords regarding the topic. Bangladesh might be exemplified in this brief communication as the representative of LMIC. As of October 14, 2021, 48% of the world's people have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. In contrast, only 2.5% of people from LICs have come in under COVID-19 vaccination for at least a single shot. Both LICs and LMICs need far more vision and ambition, including political, administrative, and diplomatic progress along with enhancing the vaccination drive for their population to be immunized through simultaneous mass vaccination progress of other countries with implementing public health safety measures against the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Hossain
- Department of Pharmacy, State University of Bangladesh, 77 Satmasjid Road Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1205, Bangladesh
| | - S M A Rahman
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
| | - T B Emran
- Department of Pharmacy, BGC Trust University, Chittagong-4381, Bangladesh
| | - S Mitra
- Department Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
| | - M R Islam
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Asia Pacific, 74/A, Green Road, Farmgate, Dhaka 1205, Bangladesh
| | - K Dhama
- Division of Pathology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly-243122, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Deb P, Molla MMA, Saif-Ur-Rahman KM, Das MC, Das D. A review of epidemiology, clinical features and disease course, transmission dynamics, and neutralization efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 variants. THE EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF BRONCHOLOGY 2021. [PMCID: PMC8571979 DOI: 10.1186/s43168-021-00090-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background After the first detection in November 2019, SARS-CoV-2 has spread rapidly over the continents and started the pandemic of the millennium. In addition to several novels and repurposed monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) as a therapeutic option against COVID-19, scientists from across the world have developed several candidate vaccines, developed mainly targeting the Wuhan strain, with very promising results to combat this pandemic. Unfortunately like any RNA viruses, SARS CoV-2 has also gone through the accumulation of hundreds and thousands of mutations in their genome lead to the development of several variants of concerns (VOC) and variants of interests (VOI), resulting in increased transmissibility and virulence of the virus, along with their capacity to escape cross-protection. Seemingly, the main hindrance of containing this pandemic right now is the effectiveness of currently available vaccines and mAbs against newly emerging variants. Therefore, it is important to monitor variants epidemiology, transmission dynamics, clinical characteristics, as well as their immune evasion capacity to implement appropriate vaccine strategy and other containment measures. Body In this review, we tried to focus on variants characteristics and to what extent they can escape immunity, provided by both available vaccinated sera and convalescent sera. A stringent literature review was performed using various databases, mentioned in the methodology portion. The current geographical distribution of these variants of SARS CoV-2 has been presented using a heat map. Findings from published articles comparing these variants, in terms of genome epidemiology, transmissibility, viral load dynamics, and association with different waves have been described briefly. Due strength was given while describing variants neutralization potency against current vaccines, mAbs, and also against convalescent sera. Data from both clinical trials and in vitro/ex-vivo studies have been discussed here. Comparative findings from several articles were brought into one concise paper. After careful reviewing of all the available data, it was clear that, without hesitation, we should strengthen our vaccination strategy, because the severity of COVID 19 is reasonably lower, irrespective of variants and vaccine used. Conclusion We hope that many falsified myths and beliefs regarding vaccine immunity and emerging variants will be clarified in light of this available evidence, which we summarized in our paper.
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