Vaccine最新文献

{"title":"Identification and sizing of the current use cases for seasonal influenza vaccines.","authors":"Adam Soble, Melissa Malhame, Stefano Malvolti, Carsten Mantel, Mark Jit, Mitsuki Koh, Philipp Lambach, Joseph Bresee","doi":"10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127233","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127233","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Influenza disease continues to have significant global burden. Despite broader use of seasonal influenza vaccines in high resource settings, our understanding of use cases for seasonal influenza vaccines, their relative size, and their relationship to the barriers to adoption in different populations and settings, is limited. This study is a first attempt to identify the use cases for seasonal influenza vaccines to support the design of global influenza vaccination strategies that are better tailored to different implementation contexts and the development of improved influenza vaccines that are more aligned with the different user needs.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>By applying a design-based user-centric approach, we implemented a process, including a desk review, a survey, and interviews, to define the current use cases for seasonal influenza vaccines.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Nine use cases have been identified as relevant across all different countries and immunization programme designs and validated by experts.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The identified use cases of seasonal influenza vaccines can support the optimization of vaccination programmes to increase their public health impact. The use cases identified through this work can help signal to policymakers the most important populations and delivery channels to increase the impact of seasonal influenza vaccination programmes and help estimate programmatic requirements necessary for the supportive policy recommendations. The use cases can also support the design of measures aimed at increasing access in low resource settings and coverage in settings where seasonal vaccines are widely used. The use cases can also help to inform the development, of improved influenza vaccines by highlighting the specific product characteristics relevant to their most impactful uses in different programmatic settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":94264,"journal":{"name":"Vaccine","volume":" ","pages":"127233"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144087172","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Listening to micropolitan community leaders to support pandemic response efforts.","authors":"Rebecca Bucklin, Nicole Gauthreaux, Elizabeth Faber, Natoshia Askelson","doi":"10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127255","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127255","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The COVID-19 pandemic hit micropolitan communities (10,000-50,000 people) especially hard. High mortality rates and low vaccination rates were prevalent in these communities that are a crucial part of the rural public health infrastructure. The University of Iowa Prevention Research Center for Rural Health, along with the state public health association and immunization coalition, conducted a listening tour throughout Iowa to better understand how the pandemic impacted micropolitan areas and to subsequently develop interventions to increase vaccine confidence. The study team conducted virtual guided discussions with local public health professionals, county extension employees, faith leaders, leaders of immigrant or Latino organizations, and Chamber of Commerce staff. Participants were asked about the pandemic's effect on their communities, what they had seen work (or not) to increase vaccination, and what strategies they believed would be worth trying. Leaders reported varying success utilizing the CDC's COVID-19 Vaccination Strategies for Communities, with some of these strategies still showing promise in future vaccination efforts. Some of the strategies were expanded upon or adapted to the context of the community (like the expansion of clinic locations to offer sites throughout the community, increased community-wide vaccine marketing efforts, more engagement with worksites, utilizing community partners to support vaccination efforts, etc.). Others were not mentioned by leaders (i.e., motivational interviewing, medical provider vaccine standardization, vaccination requirements, vaccine ambassadors). Future efforts need to focus on providing better supports for these strategies not utilized and to find ways to reduce the burden of strategy implementation by already overburdened public health practitioners in micropolitan communities. Micropolitan communities also require new and innovative strategies that build public trust in government, public health, medicine, and science.</p>","PeriodicalId":94264,"journal":{"name":"Vaccine","volume":" ","pages":"127255"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144087173","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Factors associated with laboratory-confirmed SARS-Cov-2 infection among patients with severe respiratory illness (SRI): Findings from the COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness evaluation in Kenya and Mali, 2022-2023.","authors":"Raphael O Anyango, Bryan O Nyawanda, Brian O Onyando, Fadima C Haidara, Collins Okello, Ian K Orege, Sidney Ogolla, Billy Ogwel, Alex O Awuor, Samuel Kadivane, Philip Ngere, Carolyne Nasimiyu, Eric Osoro, M Kariuki Njenga, Victor Akelo, Amos Otedo, Shirley Lidechi, John B Ochieng, Nancy A Otieno, Erick M O Muok, Kibet Sergon, Archibald Kwame Worwui, Goitom G Weldegebriel, Isabel Bergeri, Cohuet Sandra, Celine Gurry, J Pekka Nuorti, Patrick Amoth, Rose Jalang'o, Jason M Mwenda, Samba O Sow, Richard Omore","doi":"10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127234","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127234","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Understanding the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 infection in settings with limited data, especially given the dynamic nature of the virus and the reported epidemiological heterogeneity across countries, is important. We used data from the COVID-19 Vaccine effectiveness evaluation to determine factors associated with SARS-COV-2 infection among patients (≥ 12 years) with severe respiratory illness (SRI) in Kenya and Mali.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>SRI was defined as acute onset (≤ 14 days) of at least two of the following: cough, fever, chills, rigors, myalgia, headache, sore throat, fatigue, congestion or runny nose, loss of taste or smell, or pneumonia diagnosis. We collected demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients, and nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal specimens for SARS-CoV-2 testing using RT-PCR. We used a mixed effect logistic regression to determine factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection adjusting for age and sex while controlling for clustering by site and month of illness onset.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Between July 2022 and October 2023, a total of 9941 patients with SRI were enrolled, of whom, 588 (5.9 %) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Compared to patients aged 12-24 years, those who were aged >64 years were more likely to have SARS-CoV-2 infection (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] = 1.60; 95 % Confidence Interval [95 % CI] 1.07-2.40). Additionally, SRI patients presenting with cough (aOR = 1.37; 95 % Confidence Interval [95 % CI] 1.05-1.80), sore throat (aOR = 1.56; 95 % CI 1.23-1.99), runny nose (aOR = 1.51; 95 % CI 1.18-1.94), and ear pain discharge (aOR = 2.58; 95 % CI 1.43-4.66) were more likely to have SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to those who did not. SRI patients who had HIV were also more likely to have SAR-CoV-2 infection compared to those who did not (aOR =1.32; 95 % CI 1.04-1.67).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Older adults and HIV patients were at increased-risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection consistent with WHO guidelines highlighting the need for targeted prevention and management strategies focused on them.</p>","PeriodicalId":94264,"journal":{"name":"Vaccine","volume":" ","pages":"127234"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144051276","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine uptake among pregnant women in Greater Accra Region, Ghana.","authors":"Caroline Dinam Badzi, Emefa Modey, Amos Apreku, Chris Guure, Kwasi Torpey, Berhaun Fesshaye, Jessica Schue, Rupali Limaye","doi":"10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127073","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127073","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>A number of vaccines were recommended by many countries for pregnant persons to reduce the risk associated with COVID 19 infection in pregnancy. Despite this potential of the vaccine, uptake remains challenging among pregnant women especially in low-income countries. Hence, this study assessed the influence of some factors on the uptake of COVID- 19 vaccine among pregnant women.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A structured tool which elicited information on participants' background, knowledge, attitude and the outcome of interest 'ever vaccinated for COVID-19' at any point in time were used to interview the pregnant women from three facilities in the Greater Accra Region, Ghana.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>A total of 401 pregnant women were recruited consecutively from all three facilities. Most of the women were between 25 and 34 years old (55.8 %), married (75.6 %), in their third trimester of pregnancy (41.4 %) and had attained junior or senior high school education (61.1 %). The frequency of COVID-19 vaccine uptake among participants was 41.9 %. Vaccination was higher among women with a college or university education (AOR = 3.35, 95 % CI = 1.48-7.54), older women aged 35-49 years (AOR = 1.82, 95 % CI = 0.90-3.66), and women who believed the COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy will reduce their baby's risk (AOR = 3.02, 95 % CI = 1.37-6.63).</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The study recommends the need for vaccination education campaign among pregnant women with more efforts targeted at those with low level of education and younger (below 35 years old).</p>","PeriodicalId":94264,"journal":{"name":"Vaccine","volume":" ","pages":"127073"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144029587","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimising human rabies vaccine supply chains: A modelling study.","authors":"Martha M Luka, Elaine A Ferguson, Eleanor Rees, Husna Hoffu, Joel Changalucha, Kennedy Lushasi, Lwitiko Sikana, Mumbua Mutunga, S M Thumbi, Katie Hampson","doi":"10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127108","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127108","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Rabies causes thousands of deaths annually in low- and middle-income countries. Despite effective vaccines for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), their expense, coupled with supply chain failures, leads to stockouts and preventable deaths. Investment by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, aims to improve access to post-exposure vaccines. We evaluate PEP demand in Tanzania and Kenya and examine stock management strategies for improving supply chains in Gavi-eligible countries.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We fitted negative binomial distributions to five years of bite patient data from Tanzania (6646 patients, 20 districts) and Kenya (199,112 patients, 47 counties) to parameterise simulations of post-exposure vaccine demand under WHO-recommended intramuscular (IM) and intradermal (ID) regimens. We compared simulated vaccine use, stockouts, and the impact of stock management strategies across the observed range in demand.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Bite patient incidence varied dramatically; demand surges far exceeded monthly averages (in 6 % of months exceeding 3× average monthly bite patient presentations) and were most extreme in low-incidence settings. ID vaccination reduces vial use by >55 % and reduces stockout risk. Under ID vaccination vial savings are greatest in high-throughput settings, whilst risk mitigation is maximised in low-throughput settings. Decentralizing PEP to more facilities improves access, though reduces vial-sharing opportunities and so increases vial use. Resilient supply chain strategies were identified according to patient throughput, allowing for adaptation to changing demand.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>ID vaccination reduces vial use and stockouts, even in low-throughput settings. Tailoring stock management-through adjusted alert thresholds and restocking volumes-can simplify the integration of rabies vaccines into essential immunisation supply chains, improving their availability and preventing unnecessary deaths. However, logistical trade-offs must also be considered.</p>","PeriodicalId":94264,"journal":{"name":"Vaccine","volume":"54 ","pages":"127108"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144062953","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Developing counter-narratives to address COVID-19 misinformation among 18-24 year olds in community and campus settings.","authors":"Rhonda C Holliday, Asantewaa Darkwa, Gail A Brooks, Tabia Henry Akintobi, Amy Z Chen, Rakale C Quarells, Michael L Best","doi":"10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127135","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127135","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>During the COVID-19 pandemic, young adults represented one of the groups with the highest number of COVID-19 infections but experienced less severe symptoms and lower rates of mortality. The Georgia Peers for Equity Against COVID-19 and for Health (Georgia PEACH) was developed to address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among African American/Black and Latinx young adults (18-25) on college campuses and in the community. Existing community relationships and partnerships were leveraged to quickly engage young adults (Peer Champions) to develop counter-narratives to address mis/disinformation in their communities, using a community engaged approach. These counter-narratives were then used in community engagement activities and health communication messages on college campuses and in the community to increase vaccine confidence among their peers. The Peer Champions were able to reach 350 young adults through these strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":94264,"journal":{"name":"Vaccine","volume":" ","pages":"127135"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144056822","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effectiveness of BNT162b2 and Ad26.COV2.S vaccines against COVID-19-related hospitalisation amongst adult members of a private health insurance plan in South Africa during the Delta and Omicron periods: A test-negative case-control study.","authors":"Siobhan L Johnstone, Daniel Shapiro, Nicola Chiwandire, Lundi Matoti, Carmen Whyte, Jolene Bultinck-Human, Selaelo Mametja, Craig Getz, Boldwin Moyo, Mabatlo Semenya, Sibongile Walaza, Cheryl Cohen, Michelle J Groome","doi":"10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127068","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127068","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness estimates from Africa are limited. These data can guide decisions on selecting priority groups in vaccine programs. This study estimated VE for BNT162b2 and Ad26.COV2.S against COVID-19-related hospitalisation, stratified by age group, time since vaccination, and HIV-infection status for three SARS-CoV-2 surges in South Africa.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We applied a test-negative case-control design to hospitalisations for acute respiratory infections amongst members of a medical insurance plan during the delta (9 May 2021-18 September 2021), omicron BA.1 (28 November 2021-5 February 2022), and BA.4/5 (17 April 2022-28 May 2022) variant periods. All data, including vaccination history, were extracted from insurance plan claims. Logistic regression models adjusted for age, comorbidities, time since vaccination, income level and documentation of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, were used to calculate VE.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>BNT162b2 was protective against COVID-19-related hospitalisation for all variant periods (VE 89.3 % (95 % CI, 85.9-91.9) for delta, reduced to 31.4 % (95 % CI, 19.1-41.9) and 22.7 % (95 % CI, 2.2-38.9) for omicron BA.1, and BA.4/5 respectively). VE estimates for Ad26.COV2·S, although lower than BNT162b2, were protective for all periods (48.8 % (95 % CI, 39.6-56.5), 19.8 % (95 % CI, 5.8-31.6), and 45.0 % (95 % CI, 29.8-57.0) for delta, omicron BA.1, and BA.4/5 respectively). Protection against severe infection was shown in those ≥60 years and younger age groups, as well as in people living with HIV (PLWH) and HIV-uninfected individuals.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Vaccination offered significant protection against COVID-19-related hospitalisation in PLWH and the elderly, and is therefore an effective means of reducing severe outcomes in these high-risk populations in South Africa. VE against BA.4/5 waned with time since vaccination suggesting boosters may be necessary.</p>","PeriodicalId":94264,"journal":{"name":"Vaccine","volume":" ","pages":"127068"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143782321","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Challenges and enablers to establishing COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness studies in the World Health Organization Africa region: A mixed-methods evaluation of the African region monitoring vaccine effectiveness (AFRO-MoVE) network.","authors":"Adam W Crawley, Katherine Murphy, Ian D Plumb, Grace Adjoa Ocansey, Isaac Baffoe-Nyarko, Norman Nyazema, Sibongile Walaza, Eva Leidman","doi":"10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.126823","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.126823","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The African Region Monitoring Vaccine Effectiveness network (AFRO-MoVE) was established by the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa in March 2021 to support implementation of COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness studies in the region.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Primary goals of the evaluation were to assess how AFRO-MoVE addressed its objectives supporting regional vaccine effectiveness (VE) studies, to describe challenges and opportunities, and make recommendations to strengthen future efforts related to regional VE research.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>From September 2023 through June 2024, a mixed-methods approach was employed to synthesize information from: (1) documentation provided by AFRO-MoVE; (2) a standardized study review tool; (3) an electronic stakeholder survey; and (4) a series of key informant interviews. Data were collected and exported via REDCap and summarized using Microsoft Excel. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data. Perceived challenges were summarized together with perceived support by the network in addressing each challenge.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>AFRO-MoVE provided support to ten VE studies, including support for protocol development, study implementation, data management, and analysis, while also facilitating knowledge exchange and experience sharing among study implementers. While respondents reported strengthened capacity for VE studies at the national and regional levels in these areas, enrollment of SARS-CoV-2 positive cases was challenging, due to a decline in reported cases in network countries in mid-2022, when many studies were launched. These challenges contributed to a lack of published VE estimates from network study sites in time to inform vaccine policy.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>AFRO-MoVE technical assistance and financial support was viewed positively by network members and contributed to increased capacity for conducting VE studies in the region. Publication of study results would further bolster the impact of the network. These finding underscore opportunities to enhance capacity for rapid VE generation and support preparedness for future pandemics.</p>","PeriodicalId":94264,"journal":{"name":"Vaccine","volume":" ","pages":"126823"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143675127","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines against laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection amongst health workers, Windhoek, Namibia.","authors":"Kaveto Sikuvi, Natasha Nghitukwa, Ndiitodino Kakehongo, Ismael Katjitae, Carolina Matos, Philip Oedi, Sibongile Manga Netha, Emmanuel Nepolo, Christian Winter","doi":"10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.126977","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.126977","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>As of 24 October 2021, 128,868 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases and 3550 deaths were reported from Namibia. The national COVID-19 vaccination campaign that started in March 2021 included health workers (HWs) as a priority group. The vaccines most administered were Sinopharm, AstraZeneca, Pfizer-BioNtech, and Janssen. We aimed to measure the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines (VE) amongst HWs against laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in Namibia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a test negative design (TND) amongst HWs from the two main hospitals treating COVID-19 patients. HWs were defined as all hospital staff over 18 years in direct or indirect contact with patients, eligible for COVID-19 vaccination. We interviewed actively recruited HWs with standardized questionnaires in-person from 25/10/2021 to 25/4/2022. The participants had to state their vaccination status, which was verified through vaccination card, vaccine registry and/or District Health Information System 2. RT-PCR testing of respiratory specimens and serological testing (Wantai and Platelia-ELISA) were conducted. We measured VE by comparing the vaccination status between RT-PCR positive and negative HWs using a multivariable logistic regression model, which was adjusted for confounders. We calculated VE = (1-odds ratio of vaccination)*100 %.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We included 1201 HWs of which 322 (26.8 %) participants were fully vaccinated with a primary series against COVID-19, 62 (5.2 %) were partially vaccinated and 735 (61.2 %) were not vaccinated. In total, 1119 (93 %) participants had antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 including 637 (90 %) of the unvaccinated participants. Fifty-eight (4.8 %) participants tested RT-PCR positive for SARS-CoV-2. The Omicron variant was detected in all 13 sequenced genomes (11 BA.1.18, 2 BA.1). The estimated overall VE for full vaccination was 61.8 % (95 %-confidence interval, 9.3-83.9 %).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The VE results suggest that COVID-19 vaccines used in Namibia provided good protection from infections with the Omicron variant even if many participants had a SARS-CoV-2 infection before the study. Therefore, COVID-19 vaccines should be administered to risk groups such as HWs independent from previous infections.</p>","PeriodicalId":94264,"journal":{"name":"Vaccine","volume":" ","pages":"126977"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143617613","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 infection among symptomatic COVID-19 patients in Uganda.","authors":"Andrew M Abaasa, Sylvia Kusemererwa, Violet Ankunda, Terry A Ongaria, Bernadette Nayiga, Ayoub Kakande, Deogratius Ssemwanga, Geofrey Kimbugwe, Henry K Bosa, Yonas T Woldemariam, Annet Kisakye, James Humphreys, Archibald K Worwui, Sandra Cohuet, Jason M Mwenda, Alison M Elliott, Pontiano Kaleebu, Eugene Ruzagira","doi":"10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.126976","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.126976","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>COVID-19 vaccines significantly reduce severe disease outcomes, but uncertainty remains about long-term protection. We investigated vaccine effectiveness (VE) against SARS-CoV-2 infection over extended periods in the World Health Organisation AFRO-MoVE network studies in Africa.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Participants with COVID-19-like symptoms were recruited between 2023 and 2024 for a test-negative case-control study conducted across 19-healthcare centres in Uganda. Cases were symptomatic patients with any three of cough, sore-throat, coryza, among others, and PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2, while controls were SARS-CoV-2 PCR-negative. Vaccination was verified from vaccination cards, hospital-records, vaccination registry and self-reporting. VE was assessed through three measures: (a) Annual - patients vaccinated in the past 12-months regardless of dose vs those vaccinated >12-months before symptom onset plus unvaccinated; (b) Absolute - patients vaccinated in the past 12-months vs unvaccinated; and (c) Relative - patients vaccinated in the past 12-months vs those vaccinated >12-months before symptom onset. VE was calculated as 1- adjusted odds ratio for three patient groups based on days since the last dose; (1) <365, (2) 7-269 and (3) 270-364 while adjusting for age, sex, calendar-time and chronic conditions. The sensitivity analysis excluded patients that were previously infected with SARS-CoV-2.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>In total, 1371 patients, 56 % female were recruited. Of these, 173 were classified as cases, with 97 (56 %) fully vaccinated compared to 701 (59 %) controls, p = 0.830. The overall adjusted VE was moderate, 45 % to 59 %, and remained consistent across the annual, absolute and relative measures. Sensitivity analysis showed consistently lower VE (32 % to 38 %) across all measures.</p><p><strong>Interpretation: </strong>The results suggest that COVID-19 vaccination provides moderate protection against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection up to 12-months after the last dose and highlight the importance of up-to-date vaccinations for high-risk individuals. The lack of clear COVID-19 seasonality in this and other African settings creates a challenge to selecting the optimal timing for annual vaccination.</p>","PeriodicalId":94264,"journal":{"name":"Vaccine","volume":" ","pages":"126976"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143588817","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}