COVID-19 Impact and Vaccination Willingness among Romanian Patients with Autoimmune/Immune-Mediated Diseases

COVID-19 Vaccination Intention in Patients with Autoimmune Diseases in Indonesia: An Application of the Integrated Behavioural Model

Vaccine hesitancy can be a challenge for those with autoimmune diseases. This study investigated the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination by patients with autoimmune diseases in Indonesia using the integrated behavioral model (IBM). This cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2021 to February 2022. A total of 404 patients with autoimmune diseases completed the survey. The majority of respondents (57.9%) said they intended to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The IBM model with added demographic variables explained 54.1% of the variance of vaccination intention (R² = 0.541). Self-efficacy, perceived norms, experiential attitude, and instrumental attitude are significantly correlated with vaccination intention in components of health behavior theories. Self-efficacy is the most critical factor influencing vaccination intention in patients with autoimmune diseases (F(2, 401) = 96.9, p < 0.001, R² = 0.326). In the multivariate analysis, vaccine intention was found to be positively associated with patients' occupation as health-care workers (β = 0.105). Meanwhile, having a personal history of contracting COVID-19 and having co-morbidities other than autoimmune diseases were negatively correlated to the willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19. This study confirms the viability of the IBM model for predicting the COVID-19 vaccination intention of patients with autoimmune diseases. It is essential to provide patients with autoimmune diseases with information that is clear and supported by evidence-based medicine.

Riding the Pandemic Waves—Lessons to Be Learned from the COVID-19 Crisis Management in Romania

In our analysis, we assessed how Romania dealt with the numerous challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic during 2021. In that year, the government had to deal with two waves of COVID-19 pandemics caused by the new variants, the low vaccination rate of the population, the overload of the healthcare system and political instability at the same time. Based on publicly available databases and international literature, we evaluated government measures aimed at reducing the spread of the pandemic and ensure the operation of the healthcare workforce and infrastructure. In addition, we evaluated measures to provide health services effectively and the government’s pandemic responses regarding excess mortality in 2021. In the absence of a complex monitoring system, limited information was available on the spread of the pandemic or the various risk factors at play. Due to incomplete and inadequate management systems, the government was unable to implement timely and adequate measures. Our analysis concludes that the management of a pandemic can only be successful if data are collected and evaluated using complex systems in a timely manner, and if members of society adhere to clearly communicated government measures due to high levels of trust in the government.