Research

18 pages, 4287 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Between Ambitious Strategies and Reality: The African Union Strategy on COVID-19 Vaccine

by Amr ElAteek, Shimaa A. Heikal, Ludmila Rozanova and Antoine Flahault

Epidemiologia 2021, 2(4), 621-638; https://doi.org/10.3390/epidemiologia2040042 - 14 Dec 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3334

A key learning lesson from country responses to COVID-19 pandemic was the impact of the strategies that are followed on combating the pandemic. Since the development of different vaccines and their supply globally, most countries have developed their own strategies to effectively provide [...] Read more.

A key learning lesson from country responses to COVID-19 pandemic was the impact of the strategies that are followed on combating the pandemic. Since the development of different vaccines and their supply globally, most countries have developed their own strategies to effectively provide sufficient doses for their population and start the vaccination process with the best outcomes. In this perspective, we review the African Union vaccination strategy by exploring the implementation of the strategy and its outcomes. We report on the strategy initiatives, vaccines distribution, administration, and the impact on new COVID-19 cases in African countries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vaccination Strategies of COVID-19)

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21 pages, 780 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysing the Launch of COVID-19 Vaccine National Rollouts: Nine Case Studies

by John Gannon, Razieh Azari, Marta Lomazzi and Bettina Borisch

Epidemiologia 2021, 2(4), 519-539; https://doi.org/10.3390/epidemiologia2040036 - 23 Oct 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 5944

Abstract

In late 2020 and early 2021, with the eagerly anticipated regulatory approval of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, the urgent global effort to inoculate populations against this devastating virus was underway. These case studies examine the early stages of COVID-19 vaccine rollouts across nine regions [...] Read more.

In late 2020 and early 2021, with the eagerly anticipated regulatory approval of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, the urgent global effort to inoculate populations against this devastating virus was underway. These case studies examine the early stages of COVID-19 vaccine rollouts across nine regions from around the world (Brazil, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Nigeria, Taiwan, United Kingdom and United States). By evaluating and comparing different approaches used to immunize against a novel pathogen, it is possible to learn a great deal about which methods were successful, and in which areas strategies can be improved. This information is applicable to the ongoing global vaccination against this virus, as well as in the event of future pandemics. Research was conducted by following and tracking the progress of vaccine rollouts in the nine regions, using published clinical trials, government documents and news reports as sources of data. Results relate to the proportion of populations that had received at least one COVID-19 dose by 28 February 2021. Outcomes are discussed in the context of three key pillars integral to all immunization programs: procurement of vaccines, communication with the public and distribution of doses to individuals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vaccination Strategies of COVID-19)

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24 pages, 1991 KiB

Open AccessArticle

COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy in China: A Case Study

by Marjan Mohamadi, Yuling Lin, Mélissa Vuillet Soit Vulliet, Antoine Flahault, Liudmila Rozanova and Guilhem Fabre

Epidemiologia 2021, 2(3), 402-425; https://doi.org/10.3390/epidemiologia2030030 - 03 Sep 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5865

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in China was first reported to the World Health Organization on 31 December 2019, after the first cases were officially identified around 8 December 2019. However, the case of an infected patient of 55 years old can [...] Read more.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in China was first reported to the World Health Organization on 31 December 2019, after the first cases were officially identified around 8 December 2019. However, the case of an infected patient of 55 years old can probably be traced back on 17 November. The spreading has been rapid and heterogeneous. Economic, political and social impacts have not been long overdue. This paper, based on English, French and Chinese research in national and international databases, aims to study the COVID-19 situation in China through the management of the outbreak and the Chinese response to vaccination strategy. The coronavirus disease pandemic is under control in China through non-pharmaceutical interventions, and the mass vaccination program has been launched to further prevent the disease and progressed steadily with 483.34 million doses having been administered across the country by 21 May 2021. China is also acting as an important player in the development and production of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vaccination Strategies of COVID-19)

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17 pages, 1104 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Fast Approval and Slow Rollout of Sputnik V: Why Is Russia’s Vaccine Rollout Slower than That of Other Nations?

by Elza Mikule, Tuuli Reissaar, Jennifer Villers, Alain Simplice Takoupo Penka, Alexander Temerev and Liudmila Rozanova

Epidemiologia 2021, 2(3), 360-376; https://doi.org/10.3390/epidemiologia2030027 - 17 Aug 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4530

Abstract

The emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in the beginning of 2020 led to the deployment of enormous amounts of resources by different countries for vaccine development, and the Russian Federation was the first country in the world to approve a COVID-19 vaccine on [...] Read more.

The emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in the beginning of 2020 led to the deployment of enormous amounts of resources by different countries for vaccine development, and the Russian Federation was the first country in the world to approve a COVID-19 vaccine on 11 August 2020. In our research we sought to crystallize why the rollout of Sputnik V has been relatively slow considering that it was the first COVID-19 vaccine approved in the world. We looked at production capacity, at the number of vaccine doses domestically administered and internationally exported, and at vaccine hesitancy levels. By 6 May 2021, more first doses of Sputnik V had been administered abroad than domestically, suggesting that limited production capacity was unlikely to be the main reason behind the slow rollout. What remains unclear, however, is why Russia prioritized vaccine exportation. We provide three hypotheses that may contribute to explaining the slow domestic rollout: a generalized vaccine distrust among the Russian population, a desire to help less technologically advanced nations, and possible geopolitical incentives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vaccination Strategies of COVID-19)

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22 pages, 452 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy in Brazil—A Case Study

by Llanos Bernardeau-Serra, Agathe Nguyen-Huynh, Lara Sponagel, Nathalia Sernizon Guimarães, Raphael Augusto Teixeira de Aguiar and Milena Soriano Marcolino

Epidemiologia 2021, 2(3), 338-359; https://doi.org/10.3390/epidemiologia2030026 - 12 Aug 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 9228

Abstract

Brazil is among the countries which have faced two devastating infection waves of COVID-19 in the past year. Despite the fact the country has one of the world’s leading immunization programs, Brazil only slowly established a national COVID-19 vaccination strategy and campaign. This [...] Read more.

Brazil is among the countries which have faced two devastating infection waves of COVID-19 in the past year. Despite the fact the country has one of the world’s leading immunization programs, Brazil only slowly established a national COVID-19 vaccination strategy and campaign. This case study is based on an integrative review of primary and secondary literature sources. Different search strategies on Medline and Google Scholar were performed for the case presentation, for the management and outcome of the COVID-19 outbreak and for the state of the COVID-19 vaccination program. Official documents from the Brazilian Ministry of Health, the website of the World Health Organization and pharmaceutical companies were also reviewed. Searches were limited to English, French, German, Portuguese and Spanish. This article describes the Brazilian COVID-19 vaccination campaign and the drivers and barriers to its implementation; and evaluates further investigations needed to have a conclusive overview over the constantly evolving situation. Healthcare inequalities, which were widened during the pandemic, a lack of coordination at the federal level, the absence of federal government support for scientific research and the lack of endorsement and commitment to the mitigation of the COVID-19 pandemic set the country’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign off to a challenging start. However, Brazil had a well-developed primary care system and national vaccination program prior to the pandemic, which are both important facilitators. At the time of writing, six vaccines are currently available in the country, and the program is advancing. The scientific community needs to continue to investigate the country’s vaccination strategy and its implementation to make sure that maximum effort is undertaken for the health of the Brazilian population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vaccination Strategies of COVID-19)

Review

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14 pages, 2840 KiB

Open AccessReview

Vaccination Is Not Enough: Understanding the Increase in Cases of COVID-19 in Chile despite a High Vaccination Rate

by Sabrina Lanzavecchia, Katharina Johanna Beyer and Sophie Evina Bolo

Epidemiologia 2021, 2(3), 377-390; https://doi.org/10.3390/epidemiologia2030028 - 24 Aug 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3488

Abstract

Chile, an OECD country in the southern hemisphere, surprised the world with a high speed COVID-19 vaccination rate at the beginning of 2021. Despite this, cases reached a record high again in April 2021, and the country went back to a state of [...] Read more.

Chile, an OECD country in the southern hemisphere, surprised the world with a high speed COVID-19 vaccination rate at the beginning of 2021. Despite this, cases reached a record high again in April 2021, and the country went back to a state of emergency. The reasons for this are multiple, complex, and interconnected. A feeling of false safety with the beginning of vaccination, the appearance of new more transmissible variants, too early relaxation of non-pharmacological measures at a point of vaccination below herd immunity, and vaccination in a high prevalence setting, appear to be main reasons for the resurgence. However, the political context and the socio-economic inequalities in Chile also play an important role, and are more difficult to measure and to compare with other countries. In conclusion, the Chilean example is a warning sign not to count on vaccination figures alone, and to maintain some of the previous non-pharmaceutical strategies to contain the pandemic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vaccination Strategies of COVID-19)

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Other

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21 pages, 370 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

What Can Be Learned from the Early Stages of the COVID-19 Vaccination Rollout in Australia: A Case Study

by Juliette Caroline Choiseul, Paris Jade Emmerson, Turan Eslanloo Pereira, Seyed-Moeen Hosseinalipour and Jennifer Hasselgård-Rowe

Epidemiologia 2021, 2(4), 587-607; https://doi.org/10.3390/epidemiologia2040040 - 03 Dec 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4231

Abstract

This paper addresses the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination progress in Australia. Globally, Australia was initially praised for its national COVID-19 response, reflecting well with regard to case numbers and mortality rates. However, Australia’s progress with its vaccine rollout has come under scrutiny. When compared globally, [...] Read more.

This paper addresses the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination progress in Australia. Globally, Australia was initially praised for its national COVID-19 response, reflecting well with regard to case numbers and mortality rates. However, Australia’s progress with its vaccine rollout has come under scrutiny. When compared globally, it fares very low in terms of the number of vaccine doses administered. This paper discusses the first three months of the vaccination process, and the challenges Australia faced during that time. Through an extensive literature review, data was collected on relevant topics concerning all aspects of the Australian COVID-19 situation. The following key points are discussed: the specific COVID-19 organisation at the federal vs. the state government levels, the Australian economy, the vaccine supply strategy, and the vaccine priority roll out. In conclusion, we highlight the impact of Australia initially relying heavily on the AstraZeneca vaccine, which subsequently came under fire regarding safety issues likely linking the vaccine to thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vaccination Strategies of COVID-19)

17 pages, 2651 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Addressing Different Needs: The Challenges Faced by India as the Largest Vaccine Manufacturer While Conducting the World’s Biggest COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign

by Cinja Nadana Koller, Cléo Josephine Schwerzmann, Alexia Suzanne Aimée Lang, Eleni Alexiou and Jaya Krishnakumar

Epidemiologia 2021, 2(3), 454-470; https://doi.org/10.3390/epidemiologia2030032 - 17 Sep 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4609

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted some of the challenges that countries face when balancing domestic and global necessities, for example with regard to vaccine needs, production and distribution. As India hosts one of the world’s largest vaccine manufacturing industries and has one of [...] Read more.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted some of the challenges that countries face when balancing domestic and global necessities, for example with regard to vaccine needs, production and distribution. As India hosts one of the world’s largest vaccine manufacturing industries and has one of the most extensive vaccination strategies, the country is particularly exposed to these challenges. This has become all the more obvious as the country experienced a second pandemic wave in the first half of 2021, which has led to a total ban on exports of COVID-19 vaccines. An analysis of the national vaccination strategy and the domestic vaccine industry through review of peer-reviewed literature, grey literature, and news reports showed the fragile balance between domestic and international needs. A numerical comparison of India’s domestic COVID-19 vaccine needs, export agreements, and production capacities was conducted. It was found that at current production rates as of April 2021, meeting all of the needs and complying with all of the agreements would be impossible. Scale-ups in production, as promised by the industry, however, will enable the achievement of all targets in the long term. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vaccination Strategies of COVID-19)

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29 pages, 3796 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

COVID-19 Outbreak Management and Vaccination Strategy in The United States of America

by Sara Aicha Amara, Estefany Daniella Díaz, Lakshmi Krishna Menon, Priyanka Singh, Liudmila Rozanova and Antoine Flahault

Epidemiologia 2021, 2(3), 426-453; https://doi.org/10.3390/epidemiologia2030031 - 10 Sep 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4719

Abstract

Four months after the first case of COVID-19 was reported in the United States, the SARS-CoV-2 virus had spread to more than 90% of all counties. Although the transmission of the virus can be grossly mitigated through non-pharmaceutical interventions and public health measures, [...] Read more.

Four months after the first case of COVID-19 was reported in the United States, the SARS-CoV-2 virus had spread to more than 90% of all counties. Although the transmission of the virus can be grossly mitigated through non-pharmaceutical interventions and public health measures, risks of future outbreaks, emergence of more infectious variants, and disruptions to socio-economic life will probably remain until effective vaccines are administered to large portions of the global population. An exceptional collaboration between governments and the scientific community has led to the authorization of eight vaccines globally for full use, four of which were funded and developed in the United States. In this paper, we contextualize epidemiological, political, and economic impacts of the COVID-19 vaccination strategy in the United States of America between 20 January 2020, to 5 May 2021, with a key focus on vaccine hesitancy and public-private partnerships. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vaccination Strategies of COVID-19)

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