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Perera SM, Garbern SC, Mbong EN, Fleming MK, Muhayangabo RF, Ombeni AB, Kulkarni S, Tchoualeu DD, Kallay R, Song E, Powell J, Gainey M, Glenn B, Mutumwa RM, Mustafa SHB, Earle-Richardson G, Fukunaga R, Abad N, Soke GN, Prybylski D, Fitter DL, Levine AC, Doshi RH. Perceptions toward Ebola vaccination and correlates of vaccine uptake among high-risk community members in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 4:e0002566. [PMID: 38236844 PMCID: PMC10796044 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
The tenth Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak (2018-2020, North Kivu, Ituri, South Kivu) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) was the second-largest EVD outbreak in history. During this outbreak, Ebola vaccination was an integral part of the EVD response. We evaluated community perceptions toward Ebola vaccination and identified correlates of Ebola vaccine uptake among high-risk community members in North Kivu, DRC. In March 2021, a cross-sectional survey among adults was implemented in three health zones. We employed a sampling approach mimicking ring vaccination, targeting EVD survivors, their household members, and their neighbors. Outbreak experiences and perceptions toward the Ebola vaccine were assessed, and modified Poisson regression was used to identify correlates of Ebola vaccine uptake among those offered vaccination. Among the 631 individuals surveyed, most (90.2%) reported a high perceived risk of EVD and 71.6% believed that the vaccine could reduce EVD severity; however, 63.7% believed the vaccine had serious side effects. Among the 474 individuals who had been offered vaccination, 397 (83.8%) received the vaccine, 180 (45.3%) of those vaccinated received the vaccine after two or more offers. Correlates positively associated with vaccine uptake included having heard positive information about the vaccine (RR 1.30, 95% CI 1.06-1.60), the belief that the vaccine could prevent EVD (RR 1.23, 95% CI 1.09-1.39), and reporting that religion influenced all decisions (RR 1.13, 95% CI 1.02-1.25). Ebola vaccine uptake was high in this population, although mixed attitudes and vaccine delays were common. Communicating positive vaccine information, emphasizing the efficacy of the Ebola vaccine, and engaging religious leaders to promote vaccination may aid in increasing Ebola vaccine uptake during future outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiromi M. Perera
- International Medical Corps, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
| | - Stephanie Chow Garbern
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Eta Ngole Mbong
- International Medical Corps, Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Monica K. Fleming
- Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | | | | | - Shibani Kulkarni
- Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Dieula Delissaint Tchoualeu
- Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Ruth Kallay
- Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth Song
- Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Jasmine Powell
- Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Monique Gainey
- Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Bailey Glenn
- Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- James A. Ferguson Infectious Disease Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | | | | | - Giulia Earle-Richardson
- National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Rena Fukunaga
- Division of Global HIV and TB, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Neetu Abad
- Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Gnakub Norbert Soke
- Division of Global Health Protection, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Dimitri Prybylski
- Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - David L. Fitter
- Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Adam C. Levine
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Reena H. Doshi
- Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
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Singleton BA, Al-Dahir S, Gillard C, Earls M, Bommarito J, Duhe M, Phi K. Perceived Role, Identity and Experiences of Pharmacists and the Potential Impact on COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake per Louisiana Region: A Prospective Cohort Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6459. [PMID: 37569001 PMCID: PMC10418418 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20156459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Some of the lowest COVID-19 community vaccination rates in America are found in Louisiana. This study investigated: (1) barriers that Louisiana pharmacists encountered during the pandemic; and (2) the effect of pharmacists' role and identity confidence on willingness to enforce vaccine mandates, and COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Fifty-four community pharmacists from nine regions of Louisiana participated in the study. Pharmacists completed questionnaires about: personal demographics, patient population, vaccination encouragement, COVID-19 concerns, and vaccination administration rates. The importance of feeling like a trusted voice in the community, as well as professional perception and self-assurance, were measured using Likert scale questions. During focus groups, participants discussed experiences with the COVID-19 vaccination rollout and vaccination-related obstacles. As the pandemic progressed, pharmacists reported being overworked, understaffed, and overburdened with new responsibilities. In regions with lower vaccination rates, pharmacists were less likely to feel at ease enforcing vaccine mandates. Independent pharmacists were less comfortable enforcing vaccine mandates than chain pharmacists but had more positive perceptions of their role and identity. This study contributes to further understanding of pharmacy workflow obstacles and pharmacists' perceptions of their professional roles and identities in the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany A. Singleton
- Division of Clinical and Administrative Sciences, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA 70125, USA
| | - Sara Al-Dahir
- Division of Clinical and Administrative Sciences, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA 70125, USA
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Doshi RH, Garbern SC, Kulkarni S, Perera SM, Fleming MK, Muhayangabo RF, Ombeni AB, Tchoualeu DD, Kallay R, Song E, Powell J, Gainey M, Glenn B, Mutumwa RM, Hans Bateyi Mustafa S, Earle-Richardson G, Gao H, Abad N, Soke GN, Fitter DL, Hyde TB, Prybylski D, Levine AC, Jalloh MF, Mbong EN. Ebola vaccine uptake and attitudes among healthcare workers in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2021. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1080700. [PMID: 37559741 PMCID: PMC10408297 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1080700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction During the 2018-2020 Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), prevention and control measures, such as Ebola vaccination were challenging by community mistrust. We aimed to understand perceptions regarding Ebola vaccination and identify determinants of Ebola vaccine uptake among HCWs. Methods In March 2021, we conducted a cross-sectional survey among 438 HCWs from 100 randomly selected health facilities in three health zones (Butembo, Beni, Mabalako) affected by the 10th EVD outbreak in North Kivu, DRC. HCWs were eligible if they were ≥ 18 years and were working in a health facility during the outbreak. We used survey logistic regression to assess correlates of first-offer uptake (i.e., having received the vaccine the first time it was offered vs. after subsequent offers). Results Of the 438 HCWs enrolled in the study, 420 (95.8%) reported that they were eligible and offered an Ebola vaccine. Among those offered vaccination, self-reported uptake of the Ebola vaccine was 99.0% (95% confidence interval (CI) [98.5-99.4]), but first-offer uptake was 70.2% (95% CI [67.1, 73.5]). Nearly all HCWs (94.3%; 95% CI [92.7-95.5]) perceived themselves to be at risk of contracting EVD. The most common concern was that the vaccine would cause side effects (65.7%; 95% CI [61.4-69.7]). In the multivariable analysis, mistrust of the vaccine source or how the vaccine was produced decreased the odds of first-time uptake. Discussion Overall uptake of the Ebola vaccine was high among HCWs, but uptake at the first offer was substantially lower, which was associated with mistrust of the vaccine source. Future Ebola vaccination efforts should plan to make repeated vaccination offers to HCWs and address their underlying mistrust in the vaccines, which can, in turn, improve community uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reena H. Doshi
- Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Stephanie C. Garbern
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Shibani Kulkarni
- Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | | | - Monica K. Fleming
- Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | | | | | | | - Ruth Kallay
- Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | | | | | | | - Bailey Glenn
- James A. Ferguson Infectious Disease Program, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | | | | | - Giulia Earle-Richardson
- National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Hongjiang Gao
- Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Neetu Abad
- Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Gnakub Norbert Soke
- Division of Global Health Protection, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - David L. Fitter
- Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Terri B. Hyde
- Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Dimitri Prybylski
- Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Adam C. Levine
- International Medical Corps, Washington, DC, United States
- International Medical Corps, Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Mohamed F. Jalloh
- Division of Global HIV and TB, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Eta Ngole Mbong
- International Medical Corps, Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo
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Baratta F, Enri LR, Brusa P. Community pharmacists as vaccinators in the SARS-CoV-2 immunization campaign: implications beyond the pandemic. Health Policy 2023; 131:104798. [PMID: 36966630 PMCID: PMC10030261 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2023.104798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
Italy was one of the last European countries to introduce vaccination in pharmacies. The urgent need to extend the vaccination campaign against SARS-CoV-2 led to the approval of Law no. 178/2020. The Law allowed the administration of COVID-19 vaccines in Italian pharmacies by community pharmacists on an experimental basis for the years 2021-2022. Stakeholders took contrasting positions on the idea of enabling pharmacist to vaccinate after proper training. Sometimes, controversy existed even within the same associations representing pharmacists. As observed in other countries, the medical profession in Italy also expressed its opposition to the idea of pharmacists as vaccinators, while the general public and pharmacy customers were generally in favour of the policy. Over two million doses of SARS-CoV-vaccines were administered in Italian pharmacies in less than one year after the introduction of the policy. Criticism and concerns raised during the debate about the introduction of vaccination in pharmacies has subsided. It is yet unclear whether vaccination in pharmacies will be prolonged after the pandemic and whether it will, in fact, be expanded to other vaccines. Potentially, this could contribute towards increasing immunisation rates, not only for COVID-19, but also for other vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Baratta
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
| | | | - Paola Brusa
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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