Browsing by Subject "COVID-19 vaccines"

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    Adenovirus and RNA-based COVID-19 vaccines’ perceptions and acceptance among healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia: a national survey
    (BMJ, 2021-06) Temsah, Mohamad-Hani; Barry, Mazin; Aljamaan, Fadi; Alhuzaimi, Abdullah; Al-Eyadhy, Ayman; Saddik, Basema; Alrabiaah, Abdulkarim; Alsohime, Fahad; Alhaboob, Ali; Alhasan, Khalid; Alaraj, Ali; Halwani, Rabih; Alamro, Nurah Maziad; Al-Shahrani, Fatimah S.; Jamal, Amr; Alsubaie, Sarah; Memish, Ziad A.; Al-Tawfiq, Jaffar A.; Medicine, School of Medicine
    Objectives The aim of this study was to compare the perception, confidence, hesitancy and acceptance rate of various COVID-19 vaccine types among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Saudi Arabia, a nation with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus experience. Design National cross-sectional, pilot-validated questionnaire. Setting Online, self-administered questionnaire among HCWs. Participants A total of 2007 HCWs working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia participated; 1512 (75.3%) participants completed the survey and were included in the analysis. Intervention Data were collected through an online survey sent to HCWs during 1–15 November 2020. The main outcome measure was HCW acceptance of COVID-19 candidate vaccines. The associated factors of vaccination acceptance were identified through a logistic regression analysis and via measurement of the level of anxiety, using the Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7 scale. Results Among the 1512 HCWs who were included, 62.4% were women, 70.3% were between 21 and 40 years of age, and the majority (62.2%) were from tertiary hospitals. In addition, 59.5% reported knowing about at least one vaccine; 24.4% of the participants were sure about their willingness to receive the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine, and 20.9% were willing to receive the RNA BNT162b2 vaccine. However, 18.3% reported that they would refuse to receive the Ad5-vectored vaccine, and 17.9% would refuse the Gam-COVID-Vac vaccine. Factors that influenced the differential readiness of HCWs included their perceptions of the vaccine’s efficiency in preventing the infection (33%), their personal preferences (29%) and the vaccine’s manufacturing country (28.6%). Conclusions Awareness by HCWs of the several COVID-19 candidate vaccines could improve their perceptions and acceptance of vaccination. Reliable sources on vaccine efficiency could improve vaccine uptake, so healthcare authorities should use reliable information to decrease vaccine hesitancy among frontline healthcare providers.
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    Assessment of the willingness of dentists in the state of Indiana to administer vaccines
    (Public Library of Science, 2022-04-19) Shukla, Anubhuti; Welch, Kelly; Villa, Alessandro; Dental Public Health and Dental Informatics, School of Dentistry
    Background: Human Papillomavirus associated oropharyngeal cancers have been on the rise in the past three decades. Dentists are uniquely positioned to discuss vaccination programs with their patients. The goal of this project was to assess the readiness of dentists in the state of Indiana in being able to administer vaccines. Methods: An 18-question online survey was sent to licensed dentists in the state of Indiana. Mantel-Haenszel chi-square tests, followed by multivariable analyses using ordinal logistic regression were conducted to assess providers' comfort levels and willingness to administer vaccines in both children and adults, by provider characteristics (practice type, location, and years in practice). Results: A total of 569 completed surveys were included for data analyses. Most dentists (58%) responded positively when asked if they would consider offering vaccinations in their office, if allowed by state legislation. In general, dentists working in academic settings and federally qualified health centers were more agreeable to offering vaccination in their practice. The level of agreement with "Dentists should be allowed to administer HPV, Influenza, Hep A and COVID 19 vaccines" for both children and adults decreased with increased years of practice. More than half of the respondents (55%) agreed that dental providers were competent to administer vaccines and needed no further training. Conclusion: The study results suggest the willingness of dentists in the state of Indiana to offer vaccinations in their practices, if allowed by legislation. Practical implications: Dental providers can be a unique resource to add to workforce for improving vaccination efforts.
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    Association of COVID-19 Versus COVID-19 Vaccination With Kidney Function and Disease Activity in Primary Glomerular Disease: A Report of the Cure Glomerulonephropathy Study
    (Elsevier, 2024) Wang, Chia-shi; Glenn, Dorey A.; Helmuth, Margaret; Smith, Abigail R.; Bomback, Andrew S.; Canetta, Pietro A.; Coppock, Gaia M.; Khalid, Myda; Tuttle, Katherine R.; Bou-Matar, Raed; Greenbaum, Larry A.; Robinson, Bruce M.; Holzman, Lawrence B.; Smoyer, William E.; Rheault, Michelle N.; Gipson, Debbie; Mariani, Laura H.; Cure Glomerulonephropathy (CureGN) Study Consortium; Pediatrics, School of Medicine
    Rationale & objective: Patients with glomerular disease (GN) may be at increased risk of severe COVID-19, yet concerns over vaccines causing disease relapse may lead to vaccine hesitancy. We examined the associations of COVID-19 with longitudinal kidney function and proteinuria and compared these with similar associations with COVID-19 vaccination. Study design: Observational cohort study from July 1, 2021, to January 1, 2023. Setting & participants: A prospective observational study network of 71 centers from North America and Europe (CureGN) with children and adults with primary minimal change disease, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, membranous nephropathy, or IgA nephropathy. Exposure: COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination. Outcome: Repeated measure of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR); recurrent time-to-event outcome of GN disease worsening as defined by doubling of the urinary protein-creatinine ratio (UPCR) to at least 1.5g/g or increase in dipstick urine protein by 2 ordinal levels to 3+(300mg/dL) or above. Analytical approach: Interrupted time series analysis for eGFR. Prognostic matched sequential stratification recurrent event analysis for GN disease worsening. Results: Among 2,055 participants, 722 (35%) reported COVID-19 infection; of these, 92 (13%) were hospitalized, and 3 died (<1%). The eGFR slope before COVID-19 infection was-1.40mL/min/1.73m2 (± 0.29 SD); within 6 months after COVID-19 infection, the eGFR slope was-4.26mL/min/1.73m2 (± 3.02 SD), which was not significantly different (P=0.34). COVID-19 was associated with increased risk of worsening GN disease activity (HR, 1.35 [95% CI, 1.01-1.80]). Vaccination was not associated with a change in eGFR (-1.34mL/min/1.73m2±0.15 SD vs-2.16mL/min/1.73m2±1.74 SD; P=0.6) or subsequent GN disease worsening (HR 1.02 [95% CI, 0.79-1.33]) in this cohort. Limitations: Infrequent or short follow-up. Conclusions: Among patients with primary GN, COVID-19 infection was severe for 1 in 8 cases and was associated with subsequent worsening of GN disease activity, as defined by proteinuria. By contrast, vaccination against COVID-19 was not associated with change in disease activity or kidney function decline. These results support COVID-19 vaccination for patients with GN. Plain-language summary: In this cohort study of 2,055 patients with minimal change disease, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, membranous nephropathy, or IgA nephropathy, COVID-19 resulted in hospitalization or death for 1 in 8 cases and was associated with a 35% increase in risk for worsening proteinuria. By contrast, vaccination did not appear to adversely affect kidney function or proteinuria. Our data support vaccination for COVID-19 in patients with glomerular disease.
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    BNT162b2 Protection against the Omicron Variant in Children and Adolescents
    (Massachusetts Medical Society, 2022) Price, Ashley M.; Olson, Samantha M.; Newhams, Margaret M.; Halasa, Natasha B.; Boom, Julie A.; Sahni, Leila C.; Pannaraj, Pia S.; Irby, Katherine; Bline, Katherine E.; Maddux, Aline B.; Nofziger, Ryan A.; Cameron, Melissa A.; Walker, Tracie C.; Schwartz, Stephanie P.; Mack, Elizabeth H.; Smallcomb, Laura; Schuster, Jennifer E.; Hobbs, Charlotte V.; Kamidani, Satoshi; Tarquinio, Keiko M.; Bradford, Tamara T.; Levy, Emily R.; Chiotos, Kathleen; Bhumbra, Samina S.; Cvijanovich, Natalie Z.; Heidemann, Sabrina M.; Cullimore, Melissa L.; Gertz, Shira J.; Coates, Bria M.; Staat, Mary A.; Zinter, Matt S.; Kong, Michele; Chatani, Brandon M.; Hume, Janet R.; Typpo, Katri V.; Maamari, Mia; Flori, Heidi R.; Tenforde, Mark W.; Zambrano, Laura D.; Campbell, Angela P.; Patel, Manish M.; Randolph, Adrienne G.; Overcoming Covid-19 Investigators; Pediatrics, School of Medicine
    Background: Spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) B.1.1.529 (omicron) variant, which led to increased U.S. hospitalizations for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), generated concern about immune evasion and the duration of protection from vaccines in children and adolescents. Methods: Using a case-control, test-negative design, we assessed vaccine effectiveness against laboratory-confirmed Covid-19 leading to hospitalization and against critical Covid-19 (i.e., leading to receipt of life support or to death). From July 1, 2021, to February 17, 2022, we enrolled case patients with Covid-19 and controls without Covid-19 at 31 hospitals in 23 states. We estimated vaccine effectiveness by comparing the odds of antecedent full vaccination (two doses of BNT162b2 messenger RNA vaccine) at least 14 days before illness among case patients and controls, according to time since vaccination for patients 12 to 18 years of age and in periods coinciding with circulation of B.1.617.2 (delta) (July 1, 2021, to December 18, 2021) and omicron (December 19, 2021, to February 17, 2022) among patients 5 to 11 and 12 to 18 years of age. Results: We enrolled 1185 case patients (1043 [88%] of whom were unvaccinated, 291 [25%] of whom received life support, and 14 of whom died) and 1627 controls. During the delta-predominant period, vaccine effectiveness against hospitalization for Covid-19 among adolescents 12 to 18 years of age was 93% (95% confidence interval [CI], 89 to 95) 2 to 22 weeks after vaccination and was 92% (95% CI, 80 to 97) at 23 to 44 weeks. Among adolescents 12 to 18 years of age (median interval since vaccination, 162 days) during the omicron-predominant period, vaccine effectiveness was 40% (95% CI, 9 to 60) against hospitalization for Covid-19, 79% (95% CI, 51 to 91) against critical Covid-19, and 20% (95% CI, -25 to 49) against noncritical Covid-19. During the omicron period, vaccine effectiveness against hospitalization among children 5 to 11 years of age was 68% (95% CI, 42 to 82; median interval since vaccination, 34 days). Conclusions: BNT162b2 vaccination reduced the risk of omicron-associated hospitalization by two thirds among children 5 to 11 years of age. Although two doses provided lower protection against omicron-associated hospitalization than against delta-associated hospitalization among adolescents 12 to 18 years of age, vaccination prevented critical illness caused by either variant.
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    Changes in Distribution of Severe Neurologic Involvement in US Pediatric Inpatients With COVID-19 or Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children in 2021 vs 2020
    (American Medical Association, 2023) LaRovere, Kerri L.; Poussaint, Tina Y.; Young, Cameron C.; Newhams, Margaret M.; Kucukak, Suden; Irby, Katherine; Kong, Michele; Schwartz, Stephanie P.; Walker, Tracie C.; Bembea, Melania M.; Wellnitz, Kari; Havlin, Kevin M.; Cvijanovich, Natalie Z.; Hall, Mark W.; Fitzgerald, Julie C.; Schuster, Jennifer E.; Hobbs, Charlotte V.; Halasa, Natasha B.; Singh, Aalok R.; Mack, Elizabeth H.; Bradford, Tamara T.; Gertz, Shira J.; Schwarz, Adam J.; Typpo, Katri V.; Loftis, Laura L.; Giuliano, John S., Jr.; Horwitz, Steven M.; Biagas, Katherine V.; Clouser, Katharine N.; Rowan, Courtney M.; Maddux, Aline B.; Soma, Vijaya L.; Babbitt, Christopher J.; Aguiar, Cassyanne L.; Kolmar, Amanda R.; Heidemann, Sabrina M.; Harvey, Helen; Zambrano, Laura D.; Campbell, Angela P.; Randolph, Adrienne G.; Overcoming COVID-19 Investigators; Pediatrics, School of Medicine
    Importance: In 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, neurologic involvement was common in children and adolescents hospitalized in the United States for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-related complications. Objective: To provide an update on the spectrum of SARS-CoV-2-related neurologic involvement among children and adolescents in 2021. Design, setting, and participants: Case series investigation of patients reported to public health surveillance hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2-related illness between December 15, 2020, and December 31, 2021, in 55 US hospitals in 31 states with follow-up at hospital discharge. A total of 2253 patients were enrolled during the investigation period. Patients suspected of having multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) who did not meet criteria (n = 85) were excluded. Patients (<21 years) with positive SARS-CoV-2 test results (reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and/or antibody) meeting criteria for MIS-C or acute COVID-19 were included in the analysis. Exposure: SARS-CoV-2 infection. Main outcomes and measures: Patients with neurologic involvement had acute neurologic signs, symptoms, or diseases on presentation or during hospitalization. Life-threatening neurologic involvement was adjudicated by experts based on clinical and/or neuroradiological features. Type and severity of neurologic involvement, laboratory and imaging data, vaccination status, and hospital discharge outcomes (death or survival with new neurologic deficits). Results: Of 2168 patients included (58% male; median age, 10.3 years), 1435 (66%) met criteria for MIS-C, and 476 (22%) had documented neurologic involvement. Patients with neurologic involvement vs without were older (median age, 12 vs 10 years) and more frequently had underlying neurologic disorders (107 of 476 [22%] vs 240 of 1692 [14%]). Among those with neurologic involvement, 42 (9%) developed acute SARS-CoV-2-related life-threatening conditions, including central nervous system infection/demyelination (n = 23; 15 with possible/confirmed encephalitis, 6 meningitis, 1 transverse myelitis, 1 nonhemorrhagic leukoencephalopathy), stroke (n = 11), severe encephalopathy (n = 5), acute fulminant cerebral edema (n = 2), and Guillain-Barré syndrome (n = 1). Ten of 42 (24%) survived with new neurologic deficits at discharge and 8 (19%) died. Among patients with life-threatening neurologic conditions, 15 of 16 vaccine-eligible patients (94%) were unvaccinated. Conclusions and relevance: SARS-CoV-2-related neurologic involvement persisted in US children and adolescents hospitalized for COVID-19 or MIS-C in 2021 and was again mostly transient. Central nervous system infection/demyelination accounted for a higher proportion of life-threatening conditions, and most vaccine-eligible patients were unvaccinated. COVID-19 vaccination may prevent some SARS-CoV-2-related neurologic complications and merits further study.
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    Characteristics and Clinical Outcomes of Vaccine-Eligible US Children Under-5 Years Hospitalized for Acute COVID-19 in a National Network
    (Wolters Kluwer, 2024) Zambrano, Laura D.; Newhams, Margaret M.; Simeone, Regina M.; Fleming-Dutra, Katherine E.; Halasa, Natasha; Wu, Michael; Orzel-Lockwood, Amber O.; Kamidani, Satoshi; Pannaraj, Pia S.; Chiotos, Kathleen; Cameron, Melissa A.; Maddux, Aline B.; Schuster, Jennifer E.; Crandall, Hillary; Kong, Michele; Nofziger, Ryan A.; Staat, Mary A.; Bhumbra, Samina S.; Irby, Katherine; Boom, Julie A.; Sahni, Leila C.; Hume, Janet R.; Gertz, Shira J.; Maamari, Mia; Bowens, Cindy; Levy, Emily R.; Bradford, Tamara T.; Walker, Tracie C.; Schwartz, Stephanie P.; Mack, Elizabeth H.; Guzman-Cottrill, Judith A.; Hobbs, Charlotte V.; Zinter, Matt S.; Cvijanovich, Natalie Z.; Bline, Katherine E.; Hymes, Saul R.; Campbell, Angela P.; Randolph, Adrienne G.; Overcoming COVID-19 Investigators; Pediatrics, School of Medicine
    Background and objectives: In June 2022, the mRNA COVID-19 vaccination was recommended for young children. We examined clinical characteristics and factors associated with vaccination status among vaccine-eligible young children hospitalized for acute COVID-19. Methods: We enrolled inpatients 8 months to <5 years of age with acute community-acquired COVID-19 across 28 US pediatric hospitals from September 20, 2022 to May 31, 2023. We assessed demographic and clinical factors, including the highest level of respiratory support, and vaccination status defined as unvaccinated, incomplete, or complete primary series [at least 2 (Moderna) or 3 (Pfizer-BioNTech) mRNA vaccine doses ≥14 days before hospitalization]. Results: Among 597 children, 174 (29.1%) patients were admitted to the intensive care unit and 75 (12.6%) had a life-threatening illness, including 51 (8.5%) requiring invasive mechanical ventilation. Children with underlying respiratory and neurologic/neuromuscular conditions more frequently received higher respiratory support. Only 4.5% of children hospitalized for COVID-19 (n = 27) had completed their primary COVID-19 vaccination series and 7.0% (n = 42) of children initiated but did not complete their primary series. Among 528 unvaccinated children, nearly half (n = 251) were previously healthy, 3 of them required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for acute COVID-19 and 1 died. Conclusions: Most young children hospitalized for acute COVID-19, including most children admitted to the intensive care unit and with life-threatening illness, had not initiated COVID-19 vaccination despite being eligible. Nearly half of these children had no underlying conditions. Of the small percentage of children who initiated a COVID-19 primary series, most had not completed it before hospitalization.
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    County-Level Factors Associated With Influenza and COVID-19 Vaccination in Indiana, 2020‒2022
    (American Public Health Association, 2024) Kasting, Monica L.; Laily, Alfu; Burney, Heather N.; Head, Katharine J.; Daggy, Joanne K.; Zimet, Gregory D.; Schwab-Reese, Laura M.; Biostatistics and Health Data Science, Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health
    Objectives: To assess COVID-19 and influenza vaccination rates across Indiana’s 92 counties and identify county-level factors associated with vaccination. Methods: We analyzed county-level data on adult COVID-19 vaccination from the Indiana vaccine registry and 2021 adult influenza vaccination from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We used multiple linear regression (MLR) to determine county-level predictors of vaccinations. Results: COVID-19 vaccination ranged from 31.2% to 87.6% (mean = 58.0%); influenza vaccination ranged from 33.7% to 53.1% (mean = 42.9%). In MLR, COVID-19 vaccination was significantly associated with primary care providers per capita (b = 0.04; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.02, 0.05), median household income (b = 0.23; 95% CI = 0.12, 0.34), percentage Medicare enrollees with a mammogram (b = 0.29; 95% CI = 0.08, 0.51), percentage uninsured (b = −1.22; 95% CI = −1.57, −0.87), percentage African American (b = 0.31; 95% CI = 0.19, 0.42), percentage female (b = −0.97; 95% CI = −1.79, ‒0.15), and percentage who smoke (b = −0.75; 95% CI = −1.26, −0.23). Influenza vaccination was significantly associated with percentage uninsured (b = 0.71; 95% CI = 0.22, 1.21), percentage African American (b = −0.07; 95% CI = −0.13, −0.01), percentage Hispanic (b = −0.28; 95% CI = −0.40, −0.17), percentage who smoke (b = −0.85; 95% CI = −1.06, −0.64), and percentage who completed high school (b = 0.54; 95% CI = 0.21, 0.87). The MLR models explained 86.7% (COVID-19) and 70.2% (influenza) of the variance. Conclusions: Factors associated with COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations varied. Variables reflecting access to care (e.g., insurance) and higher risk of severe disease (e.g., smoking) are notable. Programs to improve access and target high-risk populations may improve vaccination rates.
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    COVID-19 Vaccination of Adolescents and Young Adults of Color: Viewing Acceptance and Uptake With a Health Equity Lens
    (Elsevier, 2021) Coyne-Beasley, Tamera; Hill, Samantha V.; Zimet, Gregory; Kanbur, Nuray; Kimberlin, David; Raymond-Flesch, Marissa; Simpson, Tina; Svetaz, Maria Veronica; Trent, Maria; Walker-Harding, Leslie; Pediatrics, School of Medicine
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    Effectiveness of 2, 3, and 4 COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Doses Among Immunocompetent Adults During Periods when SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 and BA.2/BA.2.12.1 Sublineages Predominated — VISION Network, 10 States, December 2021–June 2022
    (Center for Disease Control, 2022-07-22) Link-Gelles, Ruth; Levy, Matthew E.; Gaglani, Manjusha; Irving, Stephanie A.; Stockwell, Melissa; Dascomb, Kristin; DeSilva, Malini B.; Reese, Sarah E.; Liao, I-Chia; Ong, Toan C.; Grannis, Shaun J.; McEvoy, Charlene; Patel, Palak; Klein, Nicola P.; Hartmann, Emily; Stenehjem, Edward; Natarajan, Karthik; Naleway, Allison L.; Murthy, Kempapura; Rao, Suchitra; Dixon, Brian E.; Kharbanda, Anupam B.; Akinseye, Akintunde; Dickerson, Monica; Lewis, Ned; Grisel, Nancy; Han, Jungmi; Barron, Michelle A.; Fadel, William F.; Dunne, Margaret M.; Goddard, Kristin; Arndorfer, Julie; Konatham, Deepika; Valvi, Nimish R.; Currey, J. C.; Fireman, Bruce; Raiyani, Chandni; Zerbo, Ousseny; Sloan-Aagard, Chantel; Ball, Sarah W.; Thompson, Mark G.; Tenforde, Mark W.; Epidemiology, Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health
    The Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, was first identified in the United States in November 2021, with the BA.1 sublineage (including BA.1.1) causing the largest surge in COVID-19 cases to date. Omicron sublineages BA.2 and BA.2.12.1 emerged later and by late April 2022, accounted for most cases.* Estimates of COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness (VE) can be reduced by newly emerging variants or sublineages that evade vaccine-induced immunity (1), protection from previous SARS-CoV-2 infection in unvaccinated persons (2), or increasing time since vaccination (3). Real-world data comparing VE during the periods when the BA.1 and BA.2/BA.2.12.1 predominated (BA.1 period and BA.2/BA.2.12.1 period, respectively) are limited. The VISION network† examined 214,487 emergency department/urgent care (ED/UC) visits and 58,782 hospitalizations with a COVID-19-like illness§ diagnosis among 10 states during December 18, 2021-June 10, 2022, to evaluate VE of 2, 3, and 4 doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (BNT162b2 [Pfizer-BioNTech] or mRNA-1273 [Moderna]) compared with no vaccination among adults without immunocompromising conditions. VE against COVID-19-associated hospitalization 7-119 days and ≥120 days after receipt of dose 3 was 92% (95% CI = 91%-93%) and 85% (95% CI = 81%-89%), respectively, during the BA.1 period, compared with 69% (95% CI = 58%-76%) and 52% (95% CI = 44%-59%), respectively, during the BA.2/BA.2.12.1 period. Patterns were similar for ED/UC encounters. Among adults aged ≥50 years, VE against COVID-19-associated hospitalization ≥120 days after receipt of dose 3 was 55% (95% CI = 46%-62%) and ≥7 days (median = 27 days) after a fourth dose was 80% (95% CI = 71%-85%) during BA.2/BA.2.12.1 predominance. Immunocompetent persons should receive recommended COVID-19 booster doses to prevent moderate to severe COVID-19, including a first booster dose for all eligible persons and second booster dose for adults aged ≥50 years at least 4 months after an initial booster dose. Booster doses should be obtained immediately when persons become eligible.
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    Effectiveness of BNT162b2 Vaccine against Critical Covid-19 in Adolescents
    (Massachusetts Medical Society, 2022) Olson, Samantha M.; Newhams, Margaret M.; Halasa, Natasha B.; Price, Ashley M.; Boom, Julie A.; Sahni, Leila C.; Pannaraj, Pia S.; Irby, Katherine; Walker, Tracie C.; Schwartz, Stephanie P.; Maddux, Aline B.; Mack, Elizabeth H.; Bradford, Tamara T.; Schuster, Jennifer E.; Nofziger, Ryan A.; Cameron, Melissa A.; Chiotos, Kathleen; Cullimore, Melissa L.; Gertz, Shira J.; Levy, Emily R.; Kong, Michele; Cvijanovich, Natalie Z.; Staat, Mary A.; Kamidani, Satoshi; Chatani, Brandon M.; Bhumbra, Samina S.; Bline, Katherine E.; Gaspers, Mary G.; Hobbs, Charlotte V.; Heidemann, Sabrina M.; Maamari, Mia; Flori, Heidi R.; Hume, Janet R.; Zinter, Matt S.; Michelson, Kelly N.; Zambrano, Laura D.; Campbell, Angela P.; Patel, Manish M.; Randolph, Adrienne G.; Pediatrics, School of Medicine
    Background: The increasing incidence of pediatric hospitalizations associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) caused by the B.1.617.2 (delta) variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the United States has offered an opportunity to assess the real-world effectiveness of the BNT162b2 messenger RNA vaccine in adolescents between 12 and 18 years of age. Methods: We used a case-control, test-negative design to assess vaccine effectiveness against Covid-19 resulting in hospitalization, admission to an intensive care unit (ICU), the use of life-supporting interventions (mechanical ventilation, vasopressors, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), or death. Between July 1 and October 25, 2021, we screened admission logs for eligible case patients with laboratory-confirmed Covid-19 at 31 hospitals in 23 states. We estimated vaccine effectiveness by comparing the odds of antecedent full vaccination (two doses of BNT162b2) in case patients as compared with two hospital-based control groups: patients who had Covid-19-like symptoms but negative results on testing for SARS-CoV-2 (test-negative) and patients who did not have Covid-19-like symptoms (syndrome-negative). Results: A total of 445 case patients and 777 controls were enrolled. Overall, 17 case patients (4%) and 282 controls (36%) had been fully vaccinated. Of the case patients, 180 (40%) were admitted to the ICU, and 127 (29%) required life support; only 2 patients in the ICU had been fully vaccinated. The overall effectiveness of the BNT162b2 vaccine against hospitalization for Covid-19 was 94% (95% confidence interval [CI], 90 to 96); the effectiveness was 95% (95% CI, 91 to 97) among test-negative controls and 94% (95% CI, 89 to 96) among syndrome-negative controls. The effectiveness was 98% against ICU admission and 98% against Covid-19 resulting in the receipt of life support. All 7 deaths occurred in patients who were unvaccinated. Conclusions: Among hospitalized adolescent patients, two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine were highly effective against Covid-19-related hospitalization and ICU admission or the receipt of life support. (Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.).