Vaccine最新文献

{"title":"Analyzing attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccine decision making among pregnant women in Pakistan.","authors":"Saleem Jessani, Muhammad Asim, Sarah Saleem, Sidrah Nausheen, Haleema Yasmeen, Jessica L Schue, Prachi Singh, Sami L Gottlieb, Rupali J Limaye","doi":"10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127479","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127479","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Lower rates of COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant women prompt an investigation into the underlying reasons. This study aims to explore the attitudes of pregnant women in Pakistan regarding COVID-19 vaccination decision-making and to identify the factors influencing their vaccine uptake.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional survey of pregnant women was conducted at two hospitals in Karachi in February-May 2024. The survey included a four-point Likert scale to evaluate 19 attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy. These attitudes were later grouped into nine categories: disease risk perception, vaccine effectiveness, vaccine safety, general hesitancy (including concerns about vaccine ingredients), self-efficacy, social norms and family norms. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify attitudes associated with vaccine uptake.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the 400 women surveyed, 46 % (95 %CI: 41-51) reported being vaccinated against. COVID-19. Participants with higher COVID-19 risk perception were 5.71 times more likely to be vaccinated than their counterparts (95 %CI: 2.65-12.29). Those with higher self-efficacy and those who believed their friends or family had received or would receive the vaccine, had 2.28 (95 %CI: 1.08-4.65) times and 2.19 (95 %CI: 1.03-4.65) times higher odds of being vaccinated, respectively. The adjusted odds ratio for general vaccine hesitancy was 0.37 (95 %CI: 0.18-0.78), indicating that women with higher hesitancy were 63 % less likely to be vaccinated compared to those with lower hesitancy. Furthermore, women with less support from family regarding vaccine decision-making were 69 % less likely to be vaccinated than those who received more support.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Attitudes associated with increased vaccination among pregnant women were higher COVID-19 risk perception, higher self-efficacy, and supportive social norms. In contrast, general vaccine hesitancy, and unsupportive family norms were significant barriers to vaccination during pregnancy. Targeted strategies are needed to address women's concerns about vaccine ingredients and promote supportive family influences, enhancing vaccine uptake in this important group.</p>","PeriodicalId":94264,"journal":{"name":"Vaccine","volume":" ","pages":"127479"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144621604","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":"Promotion of COVID-19 vaccination for youth and families in Worcester, Massachusetts: a Diffusion of Innovations approach.","authors":"Amy Borg, Melissa Goulding, Princilla Minkah, Domenica Perrone, Matilde Castiel, Milagros C Rosal, Stephenie C Lemon, Grace W Ryan","doi":"10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127586","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127586","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Diffusion of innovations (DOI) theory can explain adoption of new technologies, like COVID-19 vaccines. We used an adapted version of DOI theory to guide efforts to adapt and implement evidence-based interventions to support COVID-19 vaccination for youth and families.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Guided by community partner input, we triangulated data on infection and vaccination rates with qualitative focus group and interview data, and a synthesis of literature on evidence-based interventions for vaccine promotion to adapt interventions.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Implemented in three phases, we relied on trusted messengers to share vaccine narratives and tailored the degree of interaction between trusted messengers and adopters. We began broadly in the form of a community-wide communications campaign and progressively narrowed in focus towards direct engagement with trusted messengers.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>DOI framework can be used to plan for and implement interventions as demonstrated by our two-year project to respond to the ever-evolving context of the COVID-19 pandemic.</p>","PeriodicalId":94264,"journal":{"name":"Vaccine","volume":"60 Suppl 1 ","pages":"127586"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144805501","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":"One-year follow-up evaluation of approved Subolesin anti-tick vaccine in Uganda.","authors":"Paul D Kasaija, Fredrick Kabi, Jimmy Semakula, Ivan Kyakuwa, Marinela Contreras, Gabriela de la Fuente, Justus Rutaisire, Swidiq Mugerwa, Christian Gortázar, José de la Fuente","doi":"10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.126562","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.126562","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>After approval of the Subolesin-based anti-tick vaccine in Uganda, we completed a one-year follow-up evaluation study. The results showed significantly 2.1-5.0-fold higher anti-SUB IgG antibody titers in vaccinated cattle in Mbarara and Maruzi with vaccine effectiveness higher than 95 %. In Mbarara, total number of ticks were 0.8-fold lower in vaccinated cattle with a negative correlation tendency between anti-SUB antibody titers and tick counts. The CCHFV-seropositive cattle significantly decreased in 40 % in SUB-vaccinated animals with a significant positive correlation between CCHFV-seropositive cattle and the total number of ticks per animal and a negative correlation tendency between anti-SUB antibody titers and CCHFV-seropositive cattle. A boosting vaccine dose yearly after primary vaccination with three doses is sufficient to maintain protective antibody titers against ticks and tick-borne diseases affecting human and animal health. These results are relevant for implementation of anti-tick Subolesin-based vaccines in Uganda and other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.</p>","PeriodicalId":94264,"journal":{"name":"Vaccine","volume":"44 ","pages":"126562"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142755946","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":"COVID-19 vaccine responses are influenced by distinct risk factors in naive and SARS-CoV-2 experienced hemodialysis recipients.","authors":"Nicolas Gemander, Delphine Kemlin, Stéphanie Depickère, Natasha S Kelkar, Shilpee Sharma, Pieter Pannus, Alexandra Waegemans, Véronique Olislagers, Daphnée Georges, Emilie Dhondt, Margarida Braga, Leo Heyndrickx, Johan Michiels, Anaïs Thiriard, Anne Lemy, Thomas Baudoux, Marylène Vandevenne, Maria E Goossens, André Matagne, Isabelle Desombere, Kevin K Ariën, Margaret E Ackerman, Alain Le Moine, Arnaud Marchant","doi":"10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.126544","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.126544","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Clinical risk factors of deficient immune responses to COVID-19 mRNA vaccination in SARS-CoV-2 naive hemodialysis recipients (HDR) have already been identified. Clinical factors influencing hybrid immunity induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination in HDR have not been reported.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A comprehensive analysis of antibody (Ab) and T cell responses to two doses of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination was performed in 103 HDR, including 75 SARS-CoV-2 naive and 28 experienced patients, and in 106 healthy controls (HC) not undergoing HD, including 40 SARS-CoV-2 naive and 66 experienced subjects. Clinical risk factors associated with lower humoral and cellular immunity were analyzed in SARS-CoV-2 naive and experienced HDR by univariate and multivariate analyses.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Naive HDR had lower neutralizing and non-neutralizing antibody responses to vaccination than naive HC; lower vaccine responses were correlated with previous transplantation, immunosuppressive treatment, corticosteroid treatment, hypoalbuminemia, older age, hypertension, and negative response to hepatitis B vaccination. In contrast, vaccine responses of SARS-CoV-2 experienced HDR were similar to those of HC and were correlated with time between infection and vaccination and with previous transplantation, but not with the other risk factors associated with lower vaccine responses in naive HDR.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>COVID-19 vaccine responses are influenced by distinct risk factors in SARS-CoV-2 naive and experienced HDR. These observations have important implications for the understanding of vaccine-induced immunity and for the management of this vulnerable patient population.</p>","PeriodicalId":94264,"journal":{"name":"Vaccine","volume":"44 ","pages":"126544"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11655250/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142752391","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Investigating parental perceptions of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and attitudes to RSV vaccine in Jiangsu, China: Insights from a cross-section study.","authors":"Qiang Wang, Liuqing Yang, Lan Li, Shixin Xiu, Min Yang, Xuwen Wang, Yuan Shen, Weibing Wang, Leesa Lin","doi":"10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.126570","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.126570","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Our study aimed to assess parents' perceptions of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and their attitudes towards the RSV vaccine in China.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>The cross-section study was performed between August 21 and November 15, 2023, in Jiangsu province, eastern China. We collected socio-demographics, awareness, knowledge, perceptions of susceptibility and severity of RSV, and attitudes towards RSV vaccine using online survey questionnaire from parents of child aged ≤14 years old. The chi-square test and logistic regression model to explore the associated factors.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 2135 participants were included. About 26.0 % indicated that they had never heard of RSV (556/2135) and were unaware that infants and young children are at a high risk of contracting RSV (557/2135). The proportion of parents with a child under 1 year of age who were unaware of RSV was notably higher than that of parents with children in other age groups. 42.9 % of parents (916/2135) showed low level of perceived susceptibility of contacting RSV infection for their child. 70.6 % of parents (1508/2135) expressed their willingness to vaccinate their child against RSV. The most common reason for refusing the RSV vaccine was \"Concern about vaccine's safety or side effects.\" 60.8 % of participants (1299/2135) considered a price of the RSV vaccine below 200 CNY (28 USD) as acceptable.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The parents, particularly those with younger children, exhibited limited awareness and knowledge regarding RSV infection. Our study also showed the potential role of vaccine price as a barrier to the future use of RSV vaccine in China.</p>","PeriodicalId":94264,"journal":{"name":"Vaccine","volume":"44 ","pages":"126570"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142756009","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":"Pseudomonas aeruginosa elongation factor-Tu (EF-Tu) is an immunogenic protective protein antigen.","authors":"Dina A Moustafa, Emma Lou, Morgan E Schafer-Kestenman, Margalida Mateu-Borrás, Antonio Doménech-Sanchez, Sebastián Albertí, Joanna B Goldberg","doi":"10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.126476","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.126476","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative, opportunistic pathogen that infects immunocompromised individuals, especially in the hospital setting. This bacterium is an important pathogen in people with weakened immune systems, injuries, and other underlying physiologic dysfunctions. P. aeruginosa is responsible for up to 20 % of all hospital-acquired pneumonias. It is one of the major causes of nosocomial infections and has been noted to be one of the most common bacteria co-infecting patients with COVID-19 or causing super-infections following COVID-19 infections. Despite improvements in antimicrobial therapy and hospital care, P. aeruginosa bacteremia and pneumonia remain fatal in about 30 % of cases. P. aeruginosa is also the leading cause of chronic life-threatening lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients. This bacterium is naturally antibiotic resistant, and infections are notoriously difficult to treat once established, with no vaccine available. We have previously shown that elongation factor-Tu (EF-Tu), a protein best known for its role in protein synthesis, is surface exposed on P. aeruginosa. As this protein is highly expressed, evolutionally conserved, and essential, we hypothesized it would make a good vaccine target. In this study, we found that P. aeruginosa EF-Tu is immunogenic in people, and that mice can develop an immune response following immunization with recombinant P. aeruginosa EF-Tu. Furthermore, immunized mice were protected from subsequent P. aeruginosa pneumonia and transfer of this vaccine antisera to naïve mice resulted in decreased colonization. Altogether these findings support the consideration of EF-Tu as a new vaccine candidate against P. aeruginosa.</p>","PeriodicalId":94264,"journal":{"name":"Vaccine","volume":"42 26","pages":"126476"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11645190/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142549928","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"FTIR monitoring of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine for lung cancer patients: Changes in amides vibrations correlated with biochemical assays.","authors":"Jolanta Smok-Kalwat, Stanisław Góźdź, Paweł Macek, Piotr Wasiński, Maryna Khalavka, Przemyslaw Raczkiewicz, Andrzej Stepulak, Joanna Depciuch","doi":"10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.126459","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.126459","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Lung cancer is one of the most lethal cancers. Unfortunately, respiratory tract infections are very common in lung cancer patients, delaying appropriate anticancer therapy. To increase therapy efficiency, in this study we examined the effect of 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine on the immune response in lung cancer patients, which indirectly affects the success of anticancer therapy. The study was done using biochemical tests and Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) spectroscopy. For this purpose, serum from lung cancer patients aged 52 ± 9 years (III and IV clinical stage; 79 %; n = 103) before and seven as well as 30 days after vaccination was collected. Obtained results showed increasing concentrations of immunoglobulin IgG and IgG2 groups in patients after vaccination in comparison with group before vaccination. This result was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy, where higher absorbances of amides vibrations were observed after vaccination. Interestingly, lack of differences in the amides absorbances between patients 7 and 30 days after vaccination were noticed. FTIR spectra also showed changes in the ratio between amide I and amide III as well as between amide II and amide III in the groups of patients after vaccination. From deconvolution of made I range (1600 cm^-1-1700 cm^-1) decrease of the ratio between α-helix and β-sheet around 0.05 was noticed in serum collected from patients after vaccination in comparison with patients before vaccination. Using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) analysis of FTIR data it was observed that serum collected from all three analyzed groups of samples was possible to differentiate. The highest accuracy in differentiation group of samples before and 7 days after vaccination was visible in amide I, while before and 30 days after vaccination using amide II. Correlation between immunoglobulin IgG and IgG2 concentrations obtained by biochemical assays and FTIR were noticed only in the group of serum collected 30 days after vaccination, which suggested that FTIR spectroscopy reflects biochemical data.</p>","PeriodicalId":94264,"journal":{"name":"Vaccine","volume":"42 26","pages":"126459"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142484738","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":"\"But then that's another barrier\": A qualitative study of parent and provider perspectives on rural versus urban disparities in adolescent vaccination.","authors":"Sarah E Brewer, Jessica R Cataldi, Cathryn Perreira, Andrea Nederveld, Michael P Fisher, Anna Furniss, Charnetta Williams, Sean T O'Leary, Amanda F Dempsey","doi":"10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.126456","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.126456","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Vaccination rates are significantly lower among adolescents living in rural areas compared to those living in urban areas. The objective of this study was to understand the factors contributing to disparities in vaccination between adolescents in rural compared to urban areas.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with parents and providers in 16 rural and 4 urban counties of Colorado. Interview questions followed the socioecological model of health and addressed personal, interpersonal, community, and environment/structural barriers and facilitators that impact adolescent vaccination rates. Qualitative content analysis with a directed content analysis approach was used. Urban and rural interviews were compared to identify barriers unique to rural communities.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>Reported barriers included lack of vaccine access at primary care, lack of routine preventive care utilization, the need to take off time from work and school, and misinformation about vaccines. Barriers that were unique to rural communities included structural barriers such as lack of evening and weekend appointments, providers not stocking vaccines, short provider tenures, and costs; logistical barriers such as the need for multiple visits to multiple locations and distance and travel time; and beliefs and behaviors such as an overreliance on sports physicals (in lieu of preventive visits) and natural lifestyle cultures.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>There are unique challenges to adolescent vaccination in rural areas that contribute to fewer adolescents receiving their recommended vaccines. Addressing structural barriers may address this disparity.</p>","PeriodicalId":94264,"journal":{"name":"Vaccine","volume":"42 26","pages":"126456"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142515708","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":"Virtual reality for routine immunisations in needle phobic children with and without developmental disabilities: A pilot study.","authors":"Allya Makhijani, Narelle Jenkins, Jessica Kaufman, Monsurul Hoq, Sabine Priestley, Sonja Elia, Ian McKenzie, Andrew Davidson, Paul Leong, Teresa Lazzaro, Sarah McNab, Margie Danchin","doi":"10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.126481","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.126481","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Virtual reality for routine immunisations in needle phobic children with and without developmental disabilities: a pilot study.</p><p><strong>Background: </strong>Virtual Reality (VR) headsets can improve needle procedure success and experiences for children, but they have not been evaluated to support immunisation in children with anxiety and behavioural challenges. This study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of VR for immunisation in children with needle phobia, including children with and without developmental disabilities.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A mixed method pilot study was conducted at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne. Children with needle phobia aged 4-14 years scheduled for immunisation with distraction and conscious sedation were eligible. VR was offered to children with needle anxiety and/or developmental disabilities before and during immunisation in addition to standard care. Children and caregivers completed electronic surveys pre- and post-immunisation, followed by qualitative interviews post-immunisation. Clinicians completed post-immunisation surveys. Primary outcomes were feasibility and acceptability of VR according to children, caregivers and clinicians.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Between May and December 2022, we screened 54 children and included 30; 15 with and 15 without developmental disability. Preparation to use VR took less than five minutes for most children (24/30; 80 %). Twenty nine (96 %) used VR immediately before immunisation, and 17 (57 %) continued using it during immunisation (7 with developmental disability, 10 without). Twenty seven (90 %) children were immunised successfully, with a small reduction in required sedation. Of those who used VR during immunisation, 16/17 (94 %) reported a more positive overall experience. Of those who only used VR before immunisation, 3/13 (23 %) still reported benefit. VR was therefore described as beneficial for 19/30 (63 %) participants (9 with developmental disability, 10 without). Caregivers reported willingness to use VR in future immunisation encounters for 23/30 (77 %) children (11 with developmental disability, 12 without).</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>This pilot study suggests VR was feasible and acceptable for many children with needle phobia, both with and without developmental disability. These findings will inform a randomised controlled trial to assess effectiveness.</p>","PeriodicalId":94264,"journal":{"name":"Vaccine","volume":"42 26","pages":"126481"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142565369","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}