Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome

Concomitant Cytomegalovirus Viraemia in Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Adults (MIS-A) following COVID-19

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults (MIS-A) is recognised as an infrequent complication of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This syndrome occurs following COVID-19 infection in some individuals and is characterised by inflammation of multiple organ systems, such as the heart, liver, bowel, and lymph nodes. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) viraemia is associated primarily with immunosuppression. In COVID-19 patients, it has been reported in severe and critical cases. We present a case of an adult patient diagnosed with MIS-A and concomitant CMV viraemia.

Parental concerns and vaccine hesitancy against COVID-19 vaccination for children in Greece: A cross-sectional survey

INTRODUCTION

Parental hesitancy against children's COVID-19 vaccination remains a challenge globally. Although many studies have explored parental hesitancy, less is known about parental intentions towards COVID-19 vaccination of 6-month to 4-year-old children who were the last age group that became eligible for vaccination and for older children throughout the Omicron predominance period.

METHODS

We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional survey from November to December 2022 in Greece. We aimed to explore parental COVID-19 vaccination intentions for their children, reasons against vaccination, and to estimate the association between parents' intentions and child and parental characteristics and parental attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination.

RESULTS

Of 431 parents, 243 (56.4 %) had not or did not intend to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. Most parents were vaccinated against COVID-19 (64.7 % no booster; 14.2 % at least one booster). Among parents with children under the age of 5, 13.0 % intended to vaccinate their children against COVID-19, while 47.3 % of parents with children 5 years of age or older reported intention or had already completed vaccination. The most common reasons against COVID-19 vaccination were fear of side effects (32.9 %), perceived short length of clinical trials (29.2 %), and the child having previously contracted COVID-19 (12.0 %). The strongest factors associated with intention or already completed vaccination were parental own vaccination against COVID-19, using a pediatrician or a healthcare professional as the main source of vaccine-related information for their children, agreeing with their pediatrician regarding COVID-19 vaccination, and trusting official healthcare guidelines. Stratified analyses by the two children's age groups (<5 and 5 to 17) yielded similar estimates. Among parents who had not or did not intend to vaccinate their children, 11.9 % would do so if recommended by a pediatrician.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings highlight the need to incentivize healthcare professionals and pediatricians to inform parents about vaccines, clarify misconceptions and address concerns.