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Chan CP, Lee SS, Kwan TH, Wong SYS, Yeoh EK, Wong NS. Population Behavior Changes Underlying Phasic Shifts of SARS-CoV-2 Exposure Settings Across 3 Omicron Epidemic Waves in Hong Kong: Prospective Cohort Study. JMIR Public Health Surveill 2024; 10:e51498. [PMID: 38896447 PMCID: PMC11222765 DOI: 10.2196/51498] [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: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure risk was shown to have affected individual susceptibility and the epidemic spread of COVID-19. The dynamics of risk by and across exposure settings alongside the variations following the implementation of social distancing interventions are understudied. OBJECTIVE This study aims to examine the population's trajectory of exposure risk in different settings and its association with SARS-CoV-2 infection across 3 consecutive Omicron epidemic waves in Hong Kong. METHODS From March to June 2022, invitation letters were posted to 41,132 randomly selected residential addresses for the recruitment of households into a prospective population cohort. Through web-based monthly surveys coupled with email reminders, a representative from each enrolled household self-reported incidents of SARS-CoV-2 infections, COVID-19 vaccination uptake, their activity pattern in the workplace, and daily and social settings in the preceding month. As a proxy of their exposure risk, the reported activity trend in each setting was differentiated into trajectories based on latent class growth analyses. The associations of different trajectories of SARS-CoV-2 infection overall and by Omicron wave (wave 1: February-April; wave 2: May-September; wave 3: October-December) in 2022 were evaluated by using Cox proportional hazards models and Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS In total, 33,501 monthly responses in the observation period of February-December 2022 were collected from 5321 individuals, with 41.7% (2221/5321) being male and a median age of 46 (IQR 34-57) years. Against an expanding COVID-19 vaccination coverage from 81.9% to 95.9% for 2 doses and 20% to 77.7% for 3 doses, the cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection escalated from <0.2% to 25.3%, 32.4%, and 43.8% by the end of waves 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Throughout February-December 2022, 52.2% (647/1240) of participants had worked regularly on-site, 28.7% (356/1240) worked remotely, and 19.1% (237/1240) showed an assorted pattern. For daily and social settings, 4 and 5 trajectories were identified, respectively, with 11.5% (142/1240) and 14.6% (181/1240) of the participants gauged to have a high exposure risk. Compared to remote working, working regularly on-site (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.47, 95% CI 1.19-1.80) and living in a larger household (aHR 1.12, 95% CI 1.06-1.18) were associated with a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in wave 1. Those from the highest daily exposure risk trajectory (aHR 1.46, 95% CI 1.07-2.00) and the second highest social exposure risk trajectory (aHR 1.52, 95% CI 1.18-1.97) were also at an increased risk of infection in waves 2 and 3, respectively, relative to the lowest risk trajectory. CONCLUSIONS In an infection-naive population, SARS-CoV-2 transmission was predominantly initiated at the workplace, accelerated in the household, and perpetuated in the daily and social environments, as stringent restrictions were scaled down. These patterns highlight the phasic shift of exposure settings, which is important for informing the effective calibration of targeted social distancing measures as an alternative to lockdown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chin Pok Chan
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Shui Shan Lee
- Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- S.H. Ho Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tsz Ho Kwan
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- S.H. Ho Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Samuel Yeung Shan Wong
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Eng-Kiong Yeoh
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Centre for Health Systems and Policy Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ngai Sze Wong
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- S.H. Ho Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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Wong IOL, Wong C, Mak N, Dai A, Xiao J, Wu P, Ni MY, Liao Q, Cowling BJ. Assessment of the impact of the vaccine pass policy on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and uptake among Chinese adults in Hong Kong. Vaccine 2024; 42:3346-3354. [PMID: 38627146 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.04.035] [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: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recognising the importance of attaining high vaccine coverage to mitigate the COVID-19 impact, a Vaccine Pass scheme was implemented during and after the first large Omicron wave with high mortality in older ages in Hong Kong in early 2022 requiring three doses by June 2022. We did not identify any studies evaluating the policy impact of vaccination mandates with vaccine uptake over whole policy period of time in a Chinese population. We aim to evaluate the impact of the Vaccine Pass policy on COVID-19 vaccine uptake in adults in a Chinese population in Hong Kong. METHODS We analysed patterns in vaccine uptake and hesitancy using local data from population vaccine registry and 32 cross-sectional telephone surveys conducted from October 2021 to December 2022. The association of Vaccine Pass phases with vaccine uptake was examined using logistic regression analyses, taking into account covariates including self-risk perception, perceived self-efficacy in preventing COVID-19 and trust in government in pandemic control as well as physical distancing measures and demographics. RESULTS The uptake of primary series and third doses was positively significantly associated with the successive stages of Vaccine Pass implementation (adjusted odds ratios ranged from 2.41 to 7.81). Other statistically significant drivers of uptake included age group, chronic condition, higher perceived personal susceptibility to COVID-19, higher trust in government, and higher educational attainment. CONCLUSION Vaccine uptake in older adults was observed to have increased by a greater extent after the policy annoucement and implementation, under the contextual changes during and after a large Omicron wave with high mortality in Hong Kong in early 2022. Since the policy withdrawal the uptake of further booster doses has been very low in all ages. We suggest that improving voluntary booster uptake in older adults should be prioritized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene O L Wong
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control, School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Cherry Wong
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control, School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Nelly Mak
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control, School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Alan Dai
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control, School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jingyi Xiao
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control, School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Peng Wu
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control, School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Laboratory of Data Discovery for Health Limited, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, New Territories, Hong Kong, China
| | - Michael Y Ni
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control, School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; The State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Urban Systems Institute, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Qiuyan Liao
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control, School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Benjamin J Cowling
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control, School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Laboratory of Data Discovery for Health Limited, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, New Territories, Hong Kong, China.
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Mongin D, Buclin CP, Cullati S, Courvoisier DS. COVID-19 Vaccination Rate under Different Political Incentive: A Counterfactual Trend Approach Using Nationwide Data. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1149. [PMID: 37514965 PMCID: PMC10385043 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11071149] [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: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: France implemented a COVID-19 certificate in July 2021 to incentivize the population to uptake COVID-19 vaccines. However, little is known about the variation in its impact across age groups and its dependence on socio-demographic, economic, logistic, or political factors. (2) Methods: Using France's weekly first dose vaccination rate, a counterfactual trend approach allowed for the estimation of the vaccination rate across age groups at a small geographical level before and after the implementation of the health pass. The effect of the health pass was operationalized as the vaccination rate among those who would not be vaccinated without it. (3) Results: Vaccination before the health pass varied greatly among age groups and was mainly influenced by territory (lower in rural and overseas territories when compared to urban and metropolitan ones), political beliefs, and socio-economic disparities. Vaccine logistics played a minor but significant role, while the impact of COVID-19 did not affect the vaccination rate. The health pass increased the vaccination overall but with varying efficiency across groups. It convinced mainly young people politically close to the governmental vaccination strategy and living in urban metropolitan areas with low socio-economical discrepancies. The selected variables explained most of the variability of the vaccination rate before the health pass; they explained, at most, a third of the variation in the health pass effect on vaccination. (4) Conclusions: From a public health perspective, the French health pass increased the overall vaccination, but failed to promote preventive behaviours in all segments of society, particularly in vulnerable communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Mongin
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Clement P Buclin
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Stephane Cullati
- Division Quality of Care, Geneva University Hospitals, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
- Population Health Laboratory (#PopHealthLab), Faculty of Science and Medicine, University of Fribourg, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Delphine S Courvoisier
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
- Division Quality of Care, Geneva University Hospitals, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
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Archambault PM, Rosychuk RJ, Audet M, Bola R, Vatanpour S, Brooks SC, Daoust R, Clark G, Grant L, Vaillancourt S, Welsford M, Morrison LJ, Hohl CM. Accuracy of Self-Reported COVID-19 Vaccination Status Compared With a Public Health Vaccination Registry in Québec: Observational Diagnostic Study. JMIR Public Health Surveill 2023; 9:e44465. [PMID: 37327046 DOI: 10.2196/44465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The accuracy of self-reported vaccination status is important to guide real-world vaccine effectiveness studies and policy making in jurisdictions where access to electronic vaccine registries is restricted. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine the accuracy of self-reported vaccination status and reliability of the self-reported number of doses, brand, and time of vaccine administration. METHODS This diagnostic accuracy study was completed by the Canadian COVID-19 Emergency Department Rapid Response Network. We enrolled consecutive patients presenting to 4 emergency departments (EDs) in Québec between March 24, 2020, and December 25, 2021. We included adult patients who were able to consent, could speak English or French, and had a proven COVID-19 infection. We compared the self-reported vaccination status of the patients with their vaccination status in the electronic Québec Vaccination Registry. Our primary outcome was the accuracy of the self-reported vaccination status (index test) ascertained during telephone follow-up compared with the Québec Vaccination Registry (reference standard). The accuracy was calculated by dividing all correctly self-reported vaccinated and unvaccinated participants by the sum of all correctly and incorrectly self-reported vaccinated and unvaccinated participants. We also reported interrater agreement with the reference standard as measured by unweighted Cohen κ for self-reported vaccination status at telephone follow-up and at the time of their index ED visit, number of vaccine doses, and brand. RESULTS During the study period, we included 1361 participants. At the time of the follow-up interview, 932 participants reported at least 1 dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The accuracy of the self-reported vaccination status was 96% (95% CI 95%-97%). Cohen κ for self-reported vaccination status at phone follow-up was 0.91 (95% CI 0.89-0.93) and 0.85 (95% CI 0.77-0.92) at the time of their index ED visit. Cohen κ was 0.89 (95% CI 0.87-0.91) for the number of doses, 0.80 (95% CI 0.75-0.84) for the brand of the first dose, 0.76 (95% CI 0.70-0.83) for the brand of the second dose, and 0.59 (95% CI 0.34-0.83) for the brand of the third dose. CONCLUSIONS We reported a high accuracy of self-reported vaccination status for adult patients without cognitive disorders who can express themselves in English or French. Researchers can use self-reported COVID-19 vaccination data on the number of doses received, vaccine brand name, and timing of vaccination to guide future research with patients who are capable of self-reporting their vaccination data. However, access to official electronic vaccine registries is still needed to determine the vaccination status in certain susceptible populations where self-reported vaccination data remain missing or impossible to obtain. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov NCT04702945; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04702945.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick M Archambault
- Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Centre de recherche intégrée pour un système de santé apprenant en santé et services sociaux, Centre intégré de santé et services sociaux de Chaudière-Appalaches, Lévis, QC, Canada
- VITAM - Centre de recherche en santé durable, Québec, QC, Canada
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Rhonda J Rosychuk
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Martyne Audet
- Centre de recherche intégrée pour un système de santé apprenant en santé et services sociaux, Centre intégré de santé et services sociaux de Chaudière-Appalaches, Lévis, QC, Canada
| | - Rajan Bola
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Shabnam Vatanpour
- Center for Health Informatics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Steven C Brooks
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Raoul Daoust
- Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Gregory Clark
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Lars Grant
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Samuel Vaillancourt
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Michelle Welsford
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Laurie J Morrison
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Emergency Services, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Corinne M Hohl
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Coelho GLDH, Wolf LJ, Vilar R, Monteiro RP, Hanel PHP. Do left-wingers discriminate? A cross-country study on the links between political orientation, values, moral foundations, and the Covid-19 passport. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2023:1-12. [PMID: 37359648 PMCID: PMC10028313 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-023-04554-9] [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] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2023]
Abstract
To increase Covid-19 vaccine uptake and protect vulnerable people, many countries have introduced a Covid-19 passport in 2021, allowing vaccinated individuals to access indoor facilities more freely and travel to foreign countries. However, the passport has had unintended consequences as it discriminates against those who do not want to get vaccinated for medical, religious, or political reasons, or those who do not have access to vaccines. The present study (N = 678) assessed across Brazil, UK, USA, and a group of other countries, the links between political orientation, human values, and moral foundations, and attitudes towards the Covid-19 passport and whether people perceive it as a discriminatory measure. Results showed that left-wingers, typically more inclined to recognize discrimination, favor the passport more and perceive it as less discriminatory than right-wingers. This pattern remains consistent even after controlling for human values and moral foundations, independently predicting attitudes towards the passport. Overall, our findings provide novel insights into a context in which left-wingers support measures that involuntarily discriminate against certain groups. Supplementary information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12144-023-04554-9.
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Yurtsever MME, Shiraz M, Ekinci E, Eken S. Comparing COVID-19 vaccine passports attitudes across countries by analysing Reddit comments. J Inf Sci 2023. [DOI: 10.1177/01655515221148356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Topic mining and sentiment polarity analysis together can adequately represent the topics and attitudes of users. The goal of this article is to use Reddit’s location-based subreddits to look at country-level differences in attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccine passports. We used sentiment analysis and latent topic modelling on textual data obtained from 18 Reddit communities concentrating on COVID-19 vaccine passports from 1 January 2021 to 28 February 2022 to study COVID-19 vaccine passports–related discussion on Reddit. To discover changes in sentiment and latent topics, 11,168 comments were aggregated and examined by month. The number of comments on postings from country-specific subreddits was positively proportional to the number of new COVID-19 cases reported each day. The more subjective expressions and positive/negative interpretations occurred after July 2021. Communities indicated more positive sentiment than negative sentiment towards vaccine passports–related topics, according to polarity analysis. Topic modelling found that community members were concerned about a variety of concerns related to their socioeconomic status. Throughout the topic modelling, keywords suggesting people’s privacy concerns and acceptance of various COVID-19 control methods were found. The use of public opinion and topic modelling to analyse vaccine passports could help with important global health informatics concerns associated with their socioeconomic status.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Muhammad Shiraz
- Department of Information Systems Engineering, Kocaeli University, Turkey
| | - Ekin Ekinci
- Department of Computer Engineering, Sakarya University of Applied Sciences, Turkey
| | - Süleyman Eken
- Department of Information Systems Engineering, Kocaeli University, Turkey
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Mouliou DS. The Deceptive COVID-19: Lessons from Common Molecular Diagnostics and a Novel Plan for the Prevention of the Next Pandemic. Diseases 2023; 11:diseases11010020. [PMID: 36810534 PMCID: PMC9944891 DOI: 10.3390/diseases11010020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic took place during the years 2020-2022 and the virus, named SARS-CoV-2, seems likely to have resulted in an endemic disease. Nevertheless, widespread COVID-19 has given rise to several major molecular diagnostics' facts and concerns that have emerged during the overall management of this disease and the subsequent pandemic. These concerns and lessons are undeniably critical for the prevention and control of future infectious agents. Furthermore, most populaces were introduced to several new public health maintenance strategies, and again, some critical events arose. The purpose of this perspective is to thoroughly analyze all these issues and the concerns, such as the molecular diagnostics' terminologies, their role, as well as the quantity and quality issues with a molecular diagnostics' test result. Furthermore, it is speculated that society will be more vulnerable in the future and prone to emerging infectious diseases; thus, a novel preventive medicine's plan for the prevention and control of future (re)emerging infectious diseases is presented, so as to aid the early prevention of future epidemics and pandemics.
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Moving towards Digitising COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate: A Systematic Review of Literature. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10122040. [PMID: 36560449 PMCID: PMC9786568 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10122040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus pandemic is the greatest crisis of our time, having claimed over 2 million lives and shocking the global economy. Scientists and governments have suggested the idea of a digital COVID-19 certificate, to identify vaccinated persons easily. This paper assesses the positions of stakeholders on COVID-19 vaccination certificates, their presentation, and their importance. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) was applied in this study. Search terms with Boolean and/or operators were combined to increase relevant results. Four large digital databases were used for the search. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were used to screen 298 collated studies. Two reviewers independently assessed search results, extracted data, and assessed the quality of the included studies. It is essential to re-examine digital COVID-19 vaccination certificates, considering their benefits, such as real-time detection of fake vaccination certificates and identifying and mapping non-vaccinated areas for strategic vaccination planning. The use of a single electronic platform globally will ease verification processes while bringing economies back to their feet. Digital COVID-19 vaccination certificates may provide balance in this pandemic era. With digital COVID-19 certificate exceeding documentation purposes, it is important to recognise factors such as global economy and human rights, boosting free movements of persons.
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Stanimirovic D, Tepej Jocic L. Accelerated Digitalization of the Epidemiological Measures: Overcoming the Technological and Process Complexities of Establishing the EU Digital COVID Certificate in Slovenia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:14322. [PMID: 36361204 PMCID: PMC9653873 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192114322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In order to facilitate free movement of EU citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic, in early 2021 the European Commission proposed the establishment of an EU Digital COVID Certificate. By 1 July 2021, all EU Member States have successfully implemented the EU Digital COVID Certificate. The technological and procedural complexities encountered while establishing the EU Digital COVID Certificate in Slovenia are reviewed in this article. METHODS This research employs a case study methodology. Controlled focus group sessions comprising eighteen eminent experts (not including medical and other expert groups involved in the epidemiological measures) in charge of the EU Digital COVID Certificate and other national eHealth services in Slovenia were used as the primary data collection technique. Focus group discussions were preceded by an all-encompassing review of the literature and the examination of numerous materials covering the EU Digital COVID Certificate-related content. RESULTS The study findings reveal that the technological and process complexities are associated with the fragmented data sources and complicated and abundant business rules used for the generation and verification of the EU Digital COVID Certificate. However, despite the technological, process and other impediments that arose during the establishment of the EU Digital COVID Certificate in Slovenia, it can be argued that the approach used and stakeholder commitment, especially in critical pandemic conditions, offered the much-desired harmonisation and application of this digital service at the EU level. CONCLUSIONS The study highlights the importance of a sound and coherent model for the impending establishment of cross-border eHealth services and suggests that the ad hoc implementation of such challenging and delicate digital solutions in the future will only be feasible with the prior construction of robust and interoperable digital health infrastructures across the EU Member States.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalibor Stanimirovic
- Faculty of Public Administration, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Arakpogun EO, Rodrigo P, Olan F. "You Shall Not Pass" without a Jab: An Institutional Theory Perspective to COVID-19 Vaccine Passport Policies. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:14105. [PMID: 36360982 PMCID: PMC9654031 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192114105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The recent health crises (e.g., COVID-19, Ebola and Monkeypox) have pointed out huge disparities in vaccine accessibility across the world. Nonetheless, certain governments have instituted vaccine passport policies (VPPs) to manage public health, raising mixed concerns from the public. Focusing on COVID-19 outbreak as an example, this review and commentary article utilises an institutional theory perspective to uncover the factors contributing to the global vaccine divide. We also explore the wider impact of VPPs to determine whether such tools promote freedom or social exclusion. Our insights shed light on a controversial and increasingly divisive policy with an international dimension and institutional implications. For instance, while some argue that VPPs may be relatively better than the blunt instrument of lockdowns, VPPs also implicate access and discrimination concerns. Given the various reasons for global vaccine disparities, a hybrid policy that combines vaccine passports with other public health practices (e.g., rapid lateral flow/affordable polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests and good hygiene) may be more viable. Furthermore, while VPPs may not be desirable and acceptable domestically, they may be inevitable for international travel.
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Childs A. The distribution of fake Australian vaccine digital certificates on an alt-tech platform. TRENDS IN ORGANIZED CRIME 2022; 26:136-155. [PMID: 36321160 PMCID: PMC9607726 DOI: 10.1007/s12117-022-09466-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
This paper provides the first exploration of the online distribution of fake Australian COVID-19 vaccine certificates. Drawing on a collection of 2589 posts between five distributors and their community members on the alt-tech platform Gab, this study gathers key insights into the mechanics of illicit vaccine certificate distribution. The qualitative findings in this research demonstrate the various motivations and binding ideologies that underpinned this illicit distribution (e.g. anti-vaccine and anti-surveillance motivations); the unique cybercultural aspects of this online illicit network (e.g. 'crowdsourcing' the creation of fake vaccine passes); and how the online community was used to share information on the risks of engaging in this illicit service, setting the appropriate contexts of using fake vaccine passes, and the evasion of guardians in offline settings. Implications for future research in cybercrime, illicit networks, and organised crime in digital spaces are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Childs
- Griffith Criminology Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD Australia
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Platzky Miller J, Sander A, Srinivasan S. Control, Extract, Legitimate: COVID-19 and Digital Techno-opportunism across Africa. DEVELOPMENT AND CHANGE 2022; 53:DECH12734. [PMID: 36247351 PMCID: PMC9537986 DOI: 10.1111/dech.12734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Across Africa, the deployment of digital solutions such as track and trace apps and vaccine passports to tackle COVID-19 largely failed in their public health objectives. Yet, in the process, these material interventions revealed and unleashed new potentialities of governance throughout the continent. This article examines these developments and their significance through historical and theoretical lenses. Since colonialism, African states have been built partially through responses to public health emergencies. Such emergencies have enabled authorities to experiment with and enact logics of control, extraction and legitimation. By interrogating the relationship between epidemics, power and technological artefacts, this article argues that COVID-19 constituted an exceptional event that both unmasked pre-existing logics of governance but also enabled experiments with novel techniques through digital technology. Digital techno-opportunist interventions did little to curb the spread of COVID-19, but such interventions nevertheless have ramifications and implications that extend beyond this moment. While the political outcomes of the rupture caused by COVID-19 are not yet fully known, and are subject to resistance and reimagination from below, the political opportunity of 'crisis' reveals distinctly new ways in which states and corporations are combining to pursue logics of control, extraction and legitimation across Africa in a digital age.
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Pérez de la Lastra JM, Anand U, González-Acosta S, López MR, Dey A, Bontempi E, Morales delaNuez A. Antimicrobial Resistance in the COVID-19 Landscape: Is There an Opportunity for Anti-Infective Antibodies and Antimicrobial Peptides? Front Immunol 2022; 13:921483. [PMID: 35720330 PMCID: PMC9205220 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.921483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Although COVID-19 has captured most of the public health attention, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has not disappeared. To prevent the escape of resistant microorganisms in animals or environmental reservoirs a "one health approach" is desirable. In this context of COVID-19, AMR has probably been affected by the inappropriate or over-use of antibiotics. The increased use of antimicrobials and biocides for disinfection may have enhanced the prevalence of AMR. Antibiotics have been used empirically in patients with COVID-19 to avoid or prevent bacterial coinfection or superinfections. On the other hand, the measures to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 could have reduced the risk of the emergence of multidrug-resistant microorganisms. Since we do not currently have a sterilizing vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, the virus may still multiply in the organism and new mutations may occur. As a consequence, there is a risk of the appearance of new variants. Nature-derived anti-infective agents, such as antibodies and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), are very promising in the fight against infectious diseases, because they are less likely to develop resistance, even though further investigation is still required.
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Affiliation(s)
- José M. Pérez de la Lastra
- Biotechnology of Macromolecules, Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología, IPNA (CSIC), San Cristóbal de la Laguna, Spain
| | - Uttpal Anand
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Sergio González-Acosta
- Biotechnology of Macromolecules, Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología, IPNA (CSIC), San Cristóbal de la Laguna, Spain
| | - Manuel R. López
- Biotechnology of Macromolecules, Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología, IPNA (CSIC), San Cristóbal de la Laguna, Spain
| | - Abhijit Dey
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, Kolkata, India
| | - Elza Bontempi
- National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM) and Chemistry for Technologies Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Antonio Morales delaNuez
- Biotechnology of Macromolecules, Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología, IPNA (CSIC), San Cristóbal de la Laguna, Spain
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A comparative analysis of COVID-19 vaccination certificates in 12 countries/regions around the world: Rationalising health policies for international travel and domestic social activities during the pandemic. Health Policy 2022; 126:755-762. [PMID: 35680529 PMCID: PMC9148623 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2022.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
As the unprecedented pandemic of COVID-19 became a major barrier during the past two years, many countries were using the “COVID pass” or COVID-19 vaccination certificates in attempts to facilitate effective international travel and domestic social activities. The difficulty remained in how the “COVID pass” from different countries and regions could be mutually recognised. This study surveys the current practice of COVID-19 vaccination certificates in 12 representative countries/regions around the world and provides a comprehensive mapping of the vaccination certificates in these countries/regions. The study compares and contrasts the vaccination certificates in both format and content, including their primary purposes, international accreditation, naming conventions, recipients’ personal information, and the details on vaccines and vaccination. The findings are interpreted in light of implementation practices in each country/region and discussed in relation to their various functions, as well as legal, technical, and ethical considerations. Based on the analysis and discussion recommendations are made on the practice of vaccination certificates in attempts to facilitate effective international travel and domestic social activities.
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Kountouras J, Gialamprinou D, Kotronis G, Papaefthymiou A, Economidou E, Soteriades ES, Vardaka E, Chatzopoulos D, Tzitiridou-Chatzopoulou M, Papazoglou DD, Doulberis M. Ofeleein i mi Vlaptin-Volume II: Immunity Following Infection or mRNA Vaccination, Drug Therapies and Non-Pharmacological Management at Post-Two Years SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2022; 58:309. [PMID: 35208631 PMCID: PMC8874934 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58020309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The persistence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has triggered research into limiting transmission, morbidity and mortality, thus warranting a comprehensive approach to guide balanced healthcare policies with respect to people's physical and mental health. The mainstay priority during COVID-19 is to achieve widespread immunity, which could be established through natural contact or vaccination. Deep knowledge of the immune response combined with recent specific data indicates the potential inferiority of induced immunity against infection. Moreover, the prevention of transmission has been founded on general non-pharmacological measures of protection, albeit debate exists considering their efficacy and, among other issues, their socio-psychological burden. The second line of defense is engaged after infection and is supported by a plethora of studied agents, such as antibiotics, steroids and non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, antiviral medications and other biological agents that have been proposed, though variability in terms of benefits and adverse events has not allowed distinct solutions, albeit certain treatments might have a role in prevention and/or treatment of the disease. This narrative review summarizes the existing literature on the advantages and weaknesses of current COVID-19 management measures, thus underlining the necessity of acting based on the classical principle of "ofeleein i mi vlaptin", that is, to help or not to harm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jannis Kountouras
- Second Medical Clinic, School of Medicine, Ippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54652 Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece; (A.P.); (E.V.); (D.C.); (M.T.-C.); (M.D.)
| | - Dimitra Gialamprinou
- Second Neonatal Department and NICU, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 56403 Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece;
| | - Georgios Kotronis
- Department of Internal Medicine, General Hospital Aghios Pavlos of Thessaloniki, 55134 Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece;
| | - Apostolis Papaefthymiou
- Second Medical Clinic, School of Medicine, Ippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54652 Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece; (A.P.); (E.V.); (D.C.); (M.T.-C.); (M.D.)
- Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital of Larisa, Mezourlo, 41110 Larisa, Thessaly, Greece
| | - Eleftheria Economidou
- School of Economics and Management, Healthcare Management Program, Open University of Cyprus, Nicosia 12794, Cyprus; (E.E.); (E.S.S.)
| | - Elpidoforos S. Soteriades
- School of Economics and Management, Healthcare Management Program, Open University of Cyprus, Nicosia 12794, Cyprus; (E.E.); (E.S.S.)
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology (EOME), Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Elisabeth Vardaka
- Second Medical Clinic, School of Medicine, Ippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54652 Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece; (A.P.); (E.V.); (D.C.); (M.T.-C.); (M.D.)
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, International Hellenic University, 57400 Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Chatzopoulos
- Second Medical Clinic, School of Medicine, Ippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54652 Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece; (A.P.); (E.V.); (D.C.); (M.T.-C.); (M.D.)
| | - Maria Tzitiridou-Chatzopoulou
- Second Medical Clinic, School of Medicine, Ippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54652 Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece; (A.P.); (E.V.); (D.C.); (M.T.-C.); (M.D.)
- Midwifery Department, School of Healthcare Sciences, University of West Macedonia, Koila, 50100 Kozani, Central Macedonia, Greece
| | - Dimitrios David Papazoglou
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland;
| | - Michael Doulberis
- Second Medical Clinic, School of Medicine, Ippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54652 Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece; (A.P.); (E.V.); (D.C.); (M.T.-C.); (M.D.)
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University Department, Kantonsspital Aarau, 5001 Aarau, Switzerland
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