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Jiang X, Wang J, Li C, Yeoh EK, Guo Z, Wei Y, Chong KC. Impact of the surge of COVID-19 Omicron outbreak on the intention of seasonal influenza vaccination in Hong Kong: A cross-sectional study. Vaccine 2023; 41:7419-7427. [PMID: 37953098 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.11.006] [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: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the intention of influenza vaccination during the Omicron pandemic of COVID-19 via a structured cross-sectional survey. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in 1,813 Hong Kong quota-sampled adults between March and September 2022, when Hong Kong was experiencing an outbreak of Omicron infections. Questions included self-reported medical and vaccination history, and perceptions and intention of influenza vaccine. A multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify significant factors associated with the vaccination intention. RESULTS Of the 1,813 participants, 25.8% (95% CI: 23.8%-27.8%) perceived positive impact of COVID-19 pandemic on their influenza vaccine willingness, which was more than two times the proportion of those who feel less likely to take influenza vaccine (11.5%, 95% CI: 10.1%-13.1%). Compared with males, females were less likely to receive influenza vaccine for 2022-23 influenza seasons (OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.52-0.95, p = 0.023) and had less impact on their influenza vaccine willingness (OR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.59-0.99, p = 0.043). Participants older than 60 years old were related to a less positive impact compared with the youngers (OR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.30-0.93, p = 0.028). Participants with experience of influenza vaccine uptake also showed a higher intention of seasonal influenza vaccination. CONCLUSION The public intention of influenza vaccine has been raised in Hong Kong. With the identified subgroups (e.g., female and elderly) and reasons for being reluctant to the influenza vaccination, policy makers should rectify common misperceptions in order to increase influenza vaccination coverage at the post COVID-19 phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoting Jiang
- Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Jingxuan Wang
- Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Conglu Li
- Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Eng Kiong Yeoh
- Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Centre for Health Systems and Policy Research, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Zihao Guo
- Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Yuchen Wei
- Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Centre for Health Systems and Policy Research, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Ka Chun Chong
- Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Centre for Health Systems and Policy Research, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Clinical Trials and Biostatistics Laboratory, Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China.
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Chen PY, Lu CW, Lee YH, Huang CT, Hsu CC, Huang KC. Reduced risk of pneumonia and influenza infection after bariatric surgery: a retrospective cohort study among patients with nondiabetic obesity in Taiwan. Surg Obes Relat Dis 2023; 19:1169-1176. [PMID: 37211506 DOI: 10.1016/j.soard.2023.04.328] [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: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bariatric surgery is associated with significant improvements in immunity in individuals with obesity, but the exact efficacy in reducing pneumonia and influenza infections is unclear. OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between bariatric surgery and the risk of pneumonia and influenza infection. SETTING Nondiabetic patients who underwent bariatric surgery and matched controls were identified from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan. METHODS We identified 1648 nondiabetic patients who underwent bariatric surgery from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan in 2001-2009. These patients were matched by propensity score with 4881 nondiabetic patients with obesity who did not undergo bariatric surgery. We followed the surgical and control cohorts until death, any diagnosis of pneumonia or influenza, or December 31, 2012. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to calculate the relative risk of pneumonia and influenza infection in those who underwent bariatric surgery compared with those who did not. RESULTS Overall, there was a .87-fold (95% CI, .78-.98) reduced risk of pneumonia and influenza infection in the surgical group versus the control group. Four years after bariatric surgery, a sustainable effect of the surgery was observed, and the risk of pneumonia and influenza infection was .83-fold reduced in the surgical group (95% CI, .73-.95). Individuals with obesity who underwent bariatric surgery had a reduced risk of pneumonia and influenza infection compared with matched control individuals. CONCLUSION Individuals with obesity who underwent bariatric surgery had a reduced risk of pneumonia and influenza infection compared with matched control individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Yun Chen
- Department of Family Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Bei-Hu Branch, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Family Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Wen Lu
- Department of Family Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsuan Lee
- Department of Family Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Bei-Hu Branch, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Family Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Ting Huang
- Institute of Population Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Cheng Hsu
- Institute of Population Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan; Department of Health Services Administration, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Family Medicine, Min-Sheng General Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Chin Huang
- Department of Family Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Bei-Hu Branch, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Family Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Population Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan; Department of Family Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan.
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The U.S. Travel Health Pharmacists' Role in a Post-COVID-19 Pandemic Era. PHARMACY 2022; 10:pharmacy10050134. [PMID: 36287455 PMCID: PMC9607581 DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy10050134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Many countries have enforced strict regulations on travel since the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic in December 2019. However, with the development of several vaccines and tests to help identify it, international travel has mostly resumed in the United States (US). Community pharmacists have long been highly accessible to the public and are capable of providing travel health services and are in an optimal position to provide COVID-19 patient care services to those who are now starting to travel again. Objectives: (1) To discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the practice of travel health and pharmacist provided travel health services in the US and (2) to discuss the incorporation COVID-19 prevention measures, as well as telehealth and other technologies, into travel health care services. Methods: A literature review was undertaken utilizing the following search engines and internet websites: PubMed, Google Scholar, Centers for Disease Control Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and the United States Department of Health and Human Services to identify published articles on pharmacist and pharmacy-based travel health services and patient care in the US during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many country's entry requirements which may now include COVID-19 vaccination, testing, and/or masking requirements in country. Telehealth and other technological advancements may further aid the practice of travel health by increasing patient access to care. Conclusions: Community pharmacists should consider incorporating COVID-19 vaccination and testing services in their travel health practices in order to meet country-specific COVID-19 entry requirements. Further, pharmacists should consider utilizing telehealth and other technologies to increase access to care while further limiting the potential spread and impact of COVID-19.
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Huang CY, Lin CC, Hsieh CY, Lin CY, Chen TT, Wu PC, Liu DH, Tou SI, Yen HR. The Willingness of Elderly Taiwanese Individuals to Accept COVID-19 Vaccines after the First Local Outbreak. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10040520. [PMID: 35455269 PMCID: PMC9032573 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10040520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccination is the most effective intervention to prevent infection and subsequent complications from SARS-CoV-2. Because of their multiple comorbidities, the elderly population experienced the highest number of deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic. Although in most countries, older people have top priority for COVID-19 vaccines, their actual willingness and attitudes regarding vaccination are still unclear. Thus, we conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate their willingness, attitudes, awareness, and knowledge of COVID-19 through a web-based questionnaire after the first local outbreak of COVID-19 in Taiwan. A total of 957 questionnaires were completed, and 74.9% of elderly individuals were likely to receive COVID-19 vaccines. The results from a multiple logistic regression demonstrated that older people who need to visit the outpatient department and have a high level of concern about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines are prone to having a negative willingness to accept COVID-19 vaccines. The following items related to awareness of the COVID-19 pandemic were attributed to the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines: “understanding the risk of being infected by SARS-CoV-2”, “understanding the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines”, “willingness to accept the COVID-19 vaccine for protecting others”, and “safety of COVID-19 vaccines is a key factor for you to accept them”. Furthermore, a positive association between COVID-19 vaccination and attitudes toward accepting booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine was observed. Our results show that these factors could affect the willingness of older people to accept COVID-19 vaccines and that they are important for policymakers and medical staff to develop vaccination plans during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Yu Huang
- Department of Family Medicine, Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Taichung 427, Taiwan;
- Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Chan Lin
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan; (C.-C.L.); (C.-Y.H.); (C.-Y.L.); (T.-T.C.)
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, An Nan Hospital, China Medical University, Tainan 709, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Yun Hsieh
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan; (C.-C.L.); (C.-Y.H.); (C.-Y.L.); (T.-T.C.)
| | - Chen-Yuan Lin
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan; (C.-C.L.); (C.-Y.H.); (C.-Y.L.); (T.-T.C.)
| | - Tzu-Ting Chen
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan; (C.-C.L.); (C.-Y.H.); (C.-Y.L.); (T.-T.C.)
| | - Pei-Ching Wu
- Department of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404, Taiwan;
- Doctoral Degree Program of Biomedical Science and Engineering, College of Biological Science and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan;
| | - Dung-Huan Liu
- Doctoral Degree Program of Biomedical Science and Engineering, College of Biological Science and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan;
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404, Taiwan
- Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan
| | - Sio-Ian Tou
- Department of Pediatrics, Chung Kang Branch, Cheng-Ching General Hospital, Taichung 407, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (S.-I.T.); (H.-R.Y.); Tel.: +886-4-24632000 (S.-I.T.); +886-4-22053366 (ext. 3001) (H.-R.Y.)
| | - Hung-Rong Yen
- Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan
- Department of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404, Taiwan;
- Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404, Taiwan
- Research Center for Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (S.-I.T.); (H.-R.Y.); Tel.: +886-4-24632000 (S.-I.T.); +886-4-22053366 (ext. 3001) (H.-R.Y.)
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