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Tran-Kiem C, Paredes MI, Perofsky AC, Frisbie LA, Xie H, Kong K, Weixler A, Greninger AL, Roychoudhury P, Peterson JM, Delgado A, Halstead H, MacKellar D, Dykema P, Gamboa L, Frazar CD, Ryke E, Stone J, Reinhart D, Starita L, Thibodeau A, Yun C, Aragona F, Black A, Viboud C, Bedford T. Fine-scale spatial and social patterns of SARS-CoV-2 transmission from identical pathogen sequences. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.05.24.24307811. [PMID: 38826243 PMCID: PMC11142302 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.24.24307811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Pathogen genomics can provide insights into disease transmission patterns, but new methods are needed to handle modern large-scale pathogen genome datasets. Genetically proximal viruses indicate epidemiological linkage and are informative about transmission events. Here, we leverage pairs of identical sequences using 114,298 SARS-CoV-2 genomes collected via sentinel surveillance from March 2021 to December 2022 in Washington State, USA, with linked age and residence information to characterize fine-scale transmission. The location of pairs of identical sequences is highly consistent with expectations from mobility and social contact data. Outliers in the relationship between genetic and mobility data can be explained by SARS-CoV-2 transmission between postal codes with male prisons, consistent with transmission between prison facilities. Transmission patterns between age groups vary across spatial scales. Finally, we use the timing of sequence collection to understand the age groups driving transmission. This work improves our ability to characterize transmission from large pathogen genome datasets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Tran-Kiem
- Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Miguel I. Paredes
- Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Amanda C. Perofsky
- Brotman Baty Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Hong Xie
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kevin Kong
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Amelia Weixler
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Alexander L. Greninger
- Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Pavitra Roychoudhury
- Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Andrew Delgado
- Washington State Department of Health, Shoreline, WA, USA
| | - Holly Halstead
- Washington State Department of Health, Shoreline, WA, USA
| | - Drew MacKellar
- Washington State Department of Health, Shoreline, WA, USA
| | - Philip Dykema
- Washington State Department of Health, Shoreline, WA, USA
| | - Luis Gamboa
- Brotman Baty Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Chris D. Frazar
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Erica Ryke
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jeremy Stone
- Brotman Baty Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - David Reinhart
- Brotman Baty Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Lea Starita
- Brotman Baty Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Cory Yun
- Washington State Department of Health, Shoreline, WA, USA
| | - Frank Aragona
- Washington State Department of Health, Shoreline, WA, USA
| | - Allison Black
- Washington State Department of Health, Shoreline, WA, USA
| | - Cécile Viboud
- Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Trevor Bedford
- Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
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Szinger D, Berki T, Drenjančević I, Samardzic S, Zelić M, Sikora M, Požgain A, Markovics Á, Farkas N, Németh P, Böröcz K. Raising Epidemiological Awareness: Assessment of Measles/MMR Susceptibility in Highly Vaccinated Clusters within the Hungarian and Croatian Population-A Sero-Surveillance Analysis. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:486. [PMID: 38793737 PMCID: PMC11125914 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12050486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Perceptions of the complete eradication of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) may foster complacency and compromise vaccination efforts. Decreased measles vaccination rates during the COVID-19 pandemic have heightened the risk of outbreaks, even in adequately vaccinated populations. To address this, we have aligned with ECDC recommendations, leveraging previous cross-border sero-epidemiological assessments between Pécs, Hungary, and Osijek, Croatia, to identify latent risk groups and uncover potential parallels between our nations. Testing 2680 Hungarian and 1764 Croatian serum samples for anti-MMR IgG via ELISAs revealed anti-measles seropositivity ratios below expectations in Croatian cohorts aged ~20-30 (75.7%), ~30-40 (77.5%) and ~40-50 years (73.3%). Similarly, Hungarian samples also showed suboptimal seropositivity ratios in the ~30-40 (80.9%) and ~40-50 (87.3%) age groups. Considering mumps- and rubella-associated seropositivity trends, in both examined populations, individuals aged ~30-50 years exhibited the highest vulnerability. Additionally, we noted congruent seropositivity trends across both countries, despite distinct immunization and epidemiological contexts. Therefore, we propose expanding research to encompass the intricate dynamics of vaccination, including waning long-term immunity. This understanding could facilitate targeted interventions and bolster public awareness. Our findings underscore persistent challenges in attaining robust immunity against measles despite vaccination endeavors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dávid Szinger
- Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, Clinical Center, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (D.S.); (T.B.); (P.N.)
| | - Timea Berki
- Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, Clinical Center, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (D.S.); (T.B.); (P.N.)
| | - Ines Drenjančević
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia;
- Scientific Centre for Excellence for Personalized Health Care, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Senka Samardzic
- Department of Public Health, Teaching Institute of Public Health for The Osijek-Baranja County, 31000 Osijek, Croatia; (S.S.); (M.Z.); (M.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Marija Zelić
- Department of Public Health, Teaching Institute of Public Health for The Osijek-Baranja County, 31000 Osijek, Croatia; (S.S.); (M.Z.); (M.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Magdalena Sikora
- Department of Public Health, Teaching Institute of Public Health for The Osijek-Baranja County, 31000 Osijek, Croatia; (S.S.); (M.Z.); (M.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Arlen Požgain
- Department of Public Health, Teaching Institute of Public Health for The Osijek-Baranja County, 31000 Osijek, Croatia; (S.S.); (M.Z.); (M.S.); (A.P.)
- Department of Microbiology, Parasitology and Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical Faculty of Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Ákos Markovics
- Department of General and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Pécs, 7622 Pécs, Hungary;
| | - Nelli Farkas
- Department of Bioanalysis, Medical School, University of Pécs, Szigeti u. 12, 7643 Pécs, Hungary;
| | - Péter Németh
- Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, Clinical Center, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (D.S.); (T.B.); (P.N.)
| | - Katalin Böröcz
- Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, Clinical Center, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (D.S.); (T.B.); (P.N.)
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3
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Tran-Kiem C, Bedford T. Estimating the reproduction number and transmission heterogeneity from the size distribution of clusters of identical pathogen sequences. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2305299121. [PMID: 38568971 PMCID: PMC11009662 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2305299121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Quantifying transmission intensity and heterogeneity is crucial to ascertain the threat posed by infectious diseases and inform the design of interventions. Methods that jointly estimate the reproduction number R and the dispersion parameter k have however mainly remained limited to the analysis of epidemiological clusters or contact tracing data, whose collection often proves difficult. Here, we show that clusters of identical sequences are imprinted by the pathogen offspring distribution, and we derive an analytical formula for the distribution of the size of these clusters. We develop and evaluate an inference framework to jointly estimate the reproduction number and the dispersion parameter from the size distribution of clusters of identical sequences. We then illustrate its application across a range of epidemiological situations. Finally, we develop a hypothesis testing framework relying on clusters of identical sequences to determine whether a given pathogen genetic subpopulation is associated with increased or reduced transmissibility. Our work provides tools to estimate the reproduction number and transmission heterogeneity from pathogen sequences without building a phylogenetic tree, thus making it easily scalable to large pathogen genome datasets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Tran-Kiem
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA98109
| | - Trevor Bedford
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA98109
- HHMI, Seattle, WA98109
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Valgañón P, Useche AF, Soriano-Paños D, Ghoshal G, Gómez-Gardeñes J. Quantifying the heterogeneous impact of lockdown policies on different socioeconomic classes during the first COVID-19 wave in Colombia. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16481. [PMID: 37777581 PMCID: PMC10542364 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43685-8] [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] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023] Open
Abstract
In the absence of vaccines, the most widespread reaction to curb the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide was the implementation of lockdowns or stay-at-home policies. Despite the reported usefulness of such policies, their efficiency was highly constrained by socioeconomic factors determining their feasibility and their associated outcome in terms of mobility reduction and the subsequent limitation of social activity. Here we investigate the impact of lockdown policies on the mobility patterns of different socioeconomic classes in the three major cities of Colombia during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. In global terms, we find a consistent positive correlation between the reduction in mobility levels and the socioeconomic stratum of the population in the three cities, implying that those with lower incomes were less capable of adopting the aforementioned policies. Our analysis also suggests a strong restructuring of the mobility network of lowest socioeconomic strata during COVID-19 lockdown, increasing their endogenous mixing while hampering their connections with wealthiest areas due to a sharp reduction in long-distance trips.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Valgañón
- Departament of Condensed Matter Physics, University of Zaragoza, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain
- GOTHAM lab, Institute for Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems, University of Zaragoza, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Andrés F Useche
- Department of Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, 111711, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - David Soriano-Paños
- GOTHAM lab, Institute for Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems, University of Zaragoza, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain.
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, 2780-156, Oeiras, Portugal.
| | - Gourab Ghoshal
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA
| | - Jesús Gómez-Gardeñes
- Departament of Condensed Matter Physics, University of Zaragoza, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain
- GOTHAM lab, Institute for Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems, University of Zaragoza, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain
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Ang HJ, Menegale F, Preziosi G, Pariani E, Migliari M, Pellegrinelli L, Sechi GM, Buoro S, Merler S, Cereda D, Tirani M, Poletti P, Dorigatti I. Reconstructing the impact of COVID-19 on the immunity gap and transmission of respiratory syncytial virus in Lombardy, Italy. EBioMedicine 2023; 95:104745. [PMID: 37566927 PMCID: PMC10432612 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of hospitalisation and mortality in young children globally. The social distancing measures implemented against COVID-19 in Lombardy (Italy) disrupted the typically seasonal RSV circulation during 2019-2021 and caused substantially more hospitalisations during 2021-2022. The primary aim of this study is to quantify the immunity gap-defined as the increased proportion of the population naïve to RSV infection following the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions in Lombardy, which has been hypothesised to be a potential cause of the increased RSV burden in 2021-2022. METHODS We developed a catalytic model to reconstruct changes in the age-dependent susceptibility profile of the Lombardy population throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The model is calibrated to routinely collected hospitalisation, syndromic, and virological surveillance data and tested for alternative assumptions on age-dependencies in the risk of RSV infection throughout the pandemic. FINDINGS We estimate that the proportion of the Lombardy population naïve to RSV infection increased by 60.8% (95% CrI: 55.2-65.4%) during the COVID-19 pandemic: from 1.4% (95% CrI: 1.3-1.6%) in 2018-2019 to 2.3% (95% CrI: 2.2-2.5%) before the 2021-2022 season, corresponding to an immunity gap of 0.87% (95% CrI: 0.87-0.88%). We found evidence of heterogeneity in RSV transmission by age, suggesting that the COVID-19 restrictions had variable impact on the contact patterns and risk of RSV infection across ages. INTERPRETATION We estimate a substantial increase in the population-level susceptibility to RSV in Lombardy during 2019-2021, which contributed to an increase in primary RSV infections in 2021-2022. FUNDING UK Medical Research Council (MRC), UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), EDCTP2 programme, European Union, Wellcome Trust, Royal Society, EU-MUR PNRR INF-ACT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadrian Jules Ang
- Medical Research Council Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Francesco Menegale
- Center for Health Emergencies, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Trento, Italy; Department of Mathematics, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | | | - Elena Pariani
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Laura Pellegrinelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Sabrina Buoro
- Lombardy Region Welfare General Directorate, Milano, Italy
| | - Stefano Merler
- Center for Health Emergencies, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Trento, Italy
| | - Danilo Cereda
- Lombardy Region Welfare General Directorate, Milano, Italy
| | - Marcello Tirani
- Lombardy Region Welfare General Directorate, Milano, Italy; Health Protection Agency of the Metropolitan Area of Milan, Milano, Italy
| | - Piero Poletti
- Center for Health Emergencies, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Trento, Italy.
| | - Ilaria Dorigatti
- Medical Research Council Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
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Leveraging a national biorepository in Zambia to assess measles and rubella immunity gaps across age and space. Sci Rep 2022; 12:10217. [PMID: 35715547 PMCID: PMC9204687 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-14493-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
High-quality, representative serological surveys allow direct estimates of immunity profiles to inform vaccination strategies but can be costly and logistically challenging. Leveraging residual serum samples is one way to increase their feasibility. We subsampled 9854 residual sera from a 2016 national HIV survey in Zambia and tested these specimens for anti-measles and anti-rubella virus IgG antibodies using indirect enzyme immunoassays. We demonstrate innovative methods for sampling residual sera and analyzing seroprevalence data, as well as the value of seroprevalence estimates to understand and control measles and rubella. National measles and rubella seroprevalence for individuals younger than 50 years was 82.8% (95% CI 81.6, 83.9%) and 74.9% (95% CI 73.7, 76.0%), respectively. Despite a successful childhood vaccination program, measles immunity gaps persisted across age groups and districts, indicating the need for additional activities to complement routine immunization. Prior to vaccine introduction, we estimated a rubella burden of 96 congenital rubella syndrome cases per 100,000 live births. Residual samples from large-scale surveys can reduce the cost and challenges of conducting serosurveys, and multiple pathogens can be tested. Procedures to access quality specimens, ensure ethical approvals, and link sociodemographic data can improve the timeliness and value of results.
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Valgañón P, Soriano-Paños D, Arenas A, Gómez-Gardeñes J. Contagion-diffusion processes with recurrent mobility patterns of distinguishable agents. CHAOS (WOODBURY, N.Y.) 2022; 32:043102. [PMID: 35489866 DOI: 10.1063/5.0085532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The analysis of contagion-diffusion processes in metapopulations is a powerful theoretical tool to study how mobility influences the spread of communicable diseases. Nevertheless, many metapopulation approaches use indistinguishable agents to alleviate analytical difficulties. Here, we address the impact that recurrent mobility patterns, and the spatial distribution of distinguishable agents, have on the unfolding of epidemics in large urban areas. We incorporate the distinguishable nature of agents regarding both their residence and their usual destination. The proposed model allows both a fast computation of the spatiotemporal pattern of the epidemic trajectory and the analytical calculation of the epidemic threshold. This threshold is found as the spectral radius of a mixing matrix encapsulating the residential distribution and the specific commuting patterns of agents. We prove that the simplification of indistinguishable individuals overestimates the value of the epidemic threshold.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Valgañón
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - D Soriano-Paños
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência (IGC), 2780-156 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - A Arenas
- Departament de Matemáticas i Enginyeria Informática, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
| | - J Gómez-Gardeñes
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
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Abstract
Measles is a highly contagious, potentially fatal, but vaccine-preventable disease caused by measles virus. Symptoms include fever, maculopapular rash, and at least one of cough, coryza, or conjunctivitis, although vaccinated individuals can have milder or even no symptoms. Laboratory diagnosis relies largely on the detection of specific IgM antibodies in serum, dried blood spots, or oral fluid, or the detection of viral RNA in throat or nasopharyngeal swabs, urine, or oral fluid. Complications can affect many organs and often include otitis media, laryngotracheobronchitis, pneumonia, stomatitis, and diarrhoea. Neurological complications are uncommon but serious, and can occur during or soon after the acute disease (eg, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis) or months or even years later (eg, measles inclusion body encephalitis and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis). Patient management mainly involves supportive therapy, such as vitamin A supplementation, monitoring for and treatment of secondary bacterial infections with antibiotics, and rehydration in the case of severe diarrhoea. There is no specific antiviral therapy for the treatment of measles, and disease control largely depends on prevention. However, despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine, measles is still endemic in many countries and causes considerable morbidity and mortality, especially among children in resource-poor settings. The low case numbers reported in 2020, after a worldwide resurgence of measles between 2017 and 2019, have to be interpreted cautiously, owing to the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on disease surveillance. Disrupted vaccination activities during the pandemic increase the potential for another resurgence of measles in the near future, and effective, timely catch-up vaccination campaigns, strong commitment and leadership, and sufficient resources will be required to mitigate this threat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith M Hübschen
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg.
| | - Ionela Gouandjika-Vasilache
- Laboratoire des Virus Entériques et de la Rougeole, Institut Pasteur de Bangui, Bangui, Central African Republic
| | - Julia Dina
- Virology Department, Normandie University, UNICAEN, INSERM U1311 DynaMicURe, Caen University Hospital, Caen, France
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Decouttere C, De Boeck K, Vandaele N. Advancing sustainable development goals through immunization: a literature review. Global Health 2021; 17:95. [PMID: 34446050 PMCID: PMC8390056 DOI: 10.1186/s12992-021-00745-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immunization directly impacts health (SDG3) and brings a contribution to 14 out of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as ending poverty, reducing hunger, and reducing inequalities. Therefore, immunization is recognized to play a central role in reaching the SDGs, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite continuous interventions to strengthen immunization systems and to adequately respond to emergency immunization during epidemics, the immunization-related indicators for SDG3 lag behind in sub-Saharan Africa. Especially taking into account the current Covid19 pandemic, the current performance on the connected SDGs is both a cause and a result of this. METHODS We conduct a literature review through a keyword search strategy complemented with handpicking and snowballing from earlier reviews. After title and abstract screening, we conducted a qualitative analysis of key insights and categorized them according to showing the impact of immunization on SDGs, sustainability challenges, and model-based solutions to these challenges. RESULTS We reveal the leveraging mechanisms triggered by immunization and position them vis-à-vis the SDGs, within the framework of Public Health and Planetary Health. Several challenges for sustainable control of vaccine-preventable diseases are identified: access to immunization services, global vaccine availability to LMICs, context-dependent vaccine effectiveness, safe and affordable vaccines, local/regional vaccine production, public-private partnerships, and immunization capacity/capability building. Model-based approaches that support SDG-promoting interventions concerning immunization systems are analyzed in light of the strategic priorities of the Immunization Agenda 2030. CONCLUSIONS In general terms, it can be concluded that relevant future research requires (i) design for system resilience, (ii) transdisciplinary modeling, (iii) connecting interventions in immunization with SDG outcomes, (iv) designing interventions and their implementation simultaneously, (v) offering tailored solutions, and (vi) model coordination and integration of services and partnerships. The research and health community is called upon to join forces to activate existing knowledge, generate new insights and develop decision-supporting tools for Low-and Middle-Income Countries' health authorities and communities to leverage immunization in its transformational role toward successfully meeting the SDGs in 2030.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Decouttere
- KU Leuven, Access-To-Medicines research Center, Naamsestraat 69, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kim De Boeck
- KU Leuven, Access-To-Medicines research Center, Naamsestraat 69, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nico Vandaele
- KU Leuven, Access-To-Medicines research Center, Naamsestraat 69, Leuven, Belgium
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Heterogeneity in social and epidemiological factors determines the risk of measles outbreaks. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:30118-30125. [PMID: 33203683 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1920986117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Political and environmental factors-e.g., regional conflicts and global warming-increase large-scale migrations, posing extraordinary societal challenges to policymakers of destination countries. A common concern is that such a massive arrival of people-often from a country with a disrupted healthcare system-can increase the risk of vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks like measles. We analyze human flows of 3.5 million (M) Syrian refugees in Turkey inferred from massive mobile-phone data to verify this concern. We use multilayer modeling of interdependent social and epidemic dynamics to demonstrate that the risk of disease reemergence in Turkey, the main host country, can be dramatically reduced by 75 to 90% when the mixing of Turkish and Syrian populations is high. Our results suggest that maximizing the dispersal of refugees in the recipient population contributes to impede the spread of sustained measles epidemics, rather than favoring it. Targeted vaccination campaigns and policies enhancing social integration of refugees are the most effective strategies to reduce epidemic risks for all citizens.
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