The Current Situation and Future Perspective of Vaccines against Infectious Diseases in Children and Women

A special issue of Vaccines (ISSN 2076-393X). This special issue belongs to the section "Vaccines against Infectious Diseases".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2023) | Viewed by 13703

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
Interests: obstetrics and gynecology; perinatology; cytomegalovirus; rubella; mother-to-child infection

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Guest Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Vaccination is the essential measure to eliminate infectious diseases such as measles, rubella, congenital rubella syndrome, and polio. It is also important to reduce the rate of many infectious diseases. Accordingly, on-time vaccination throughout childhood is essential because it helps provide immunity before children are contracted potentially life-threatening diseases. Additionally, all women should be up-to-date with their vaccinations before they become pregnant. It is important to keep women of reproductive age current with immunizations, regardless of whether they are actively trying to conceive. Even in pregnant women, some vaccinations are strongly recommended.

On the other hand, as we cannot prevent some infectious diseases such as congenital cytomegalovirus infection by the vaccine, hygiene measures are the only way to prevent the infection. In addition, Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common viral infection of the reproductive tract and can cause cervical cancer in women. However, many large countries have not yet introduced the vaccine in spite of the presence of effective HPV vaccines. Thus, there are still several problems with vaccination against infectious diseases in children and women. Therefore, we would like to encourage the presentation of this Special Issue's recent advances regarding the vaccine in child and women. Articles on the topics regarding vaccination for children and women will also be welcome. Adding new information on these subjects may lead to a better understanding of the preventive disease by vaccine and develop the new vaccine against the infectious disease in children and women

Prof. Dr. Masatoki Kaneko
Prof. Dr. Ichiro Morioka
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • children
  • mother-to-child transmission
  • pregnant women
  • women
  • vaccine

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

10 pages, 237 KiB  
Article
Multivariate Analysis of Adverse Reactions and Recipient Profiles in COVID-19 Booster Vaccinations: A Prospective Cohort Study
by Ryuta Urakawa, Emiko Tanaka Isomura, Kazuhide Matsunaga and Kazumi Kubota
Vaccines 2023, 11(10), 1513; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11101513 - 23 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1226
Abstract
Background: This study investigated the impact of vaccinated population profiles, vaccine type/interval, and the number of vaccine doses on adverse reactions to receiving a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) booster vaccination. Methods: A survey of adverse reactions was conducted from January 2022 to December [...] Read more.
Background: This study investigated the impact of vaccinated population profiles, vaccine type/interval, and the number of vaccine doses on adverse reactions to receiving a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) booster vaccination. Methods: A survey of adverse reactions was conducted from January 2022 to December 2022 among Osaka University Dental Hospital employees who received their third or fourth doses. The study included 194 third-dose recipients and 131 fourth-dose recipients. Comparisons of the occurrence of adverse reactions between the third- and fourth-dose groups were analyzed via a chi-squared test. The relationships between each adverse reaction occurrence and recipient profiles, vaccine type/interval, and the number of vaccine doses were analyzed via a logistic regression analysis. Results: No significant differences were found in the occurrence of adverse reactions between the third and fourth doses. Younger recipients often developed injection site reaction, fatigue, chills, fever, arthralgia, headache, diarrhea, and any adverse reactions more often. Females had higher frequencies of fatigue, chills, headache, and nausea compared to males. Recipients without underlying diseases had higher frequencies of fever and nausea than those with underlying diseases. Conclusions: Younger recipients and females were at higher risk for adverse reactions to a COVID-19 booster vaccination, while the number of vaccinations, vaccination interval, vaccine type, and cross-vaccination showed no significant associations. Full article
18 pages, 4196 KiB  
Article
Systematic Mapping of Research on Vaccine-Preventable Diseases in Children in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Decennial Scientometric Analysis
by Chidozie Declan Iwu, Chinwe Iwu-Jaja, Anelisa Jaca and Charles Shey Wiysonge
Vaccines 2023, 11(9), 1507; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11091507 - 21 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1205
Abstract
Vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) remain a significant public health challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The high burden of VPDs in this region necessitates the need for continued investigation and intervention. This paper presents a bibliometric analysis of research on VPDs in children in sub-Saharan [...] Read more.
Vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) remain a significant public health challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The high burden of VPDs in this region necessitates the need for continued investigation and intervention. This paper presents a bibliometric analysis of research on VPDs in children in sub-Saharan Africa in the last 10 years to capture the current state of research in the field. This study used a systematic search for articles published between 2013 and 2022 in the Web of Science Core Collection database and, subsequently, scientometric techniques for data analyses and interpretation. Annual scientific production of publications on the research of VPDs in children in sub-Saharan Africa increased from 2013 to 2019 and then gradually declined. South Africa had the most VPD studies (n = 148; 16.2%), followed by Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, The Gambia, Malawi, Ethiopia, and the Republic of Congo. The Vaccine journal published the most. The Pan African Medical Journal was the most frequent destination journal based in Africa. The commonly studied pathogens were Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. Research productivity increased exponentially in the pre-COVID era and declined in the past two years, so more VPD research in this region is needed. Full article
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17 pages, 570 KiB  
Article
A Qualitative Analysis of Social-Ecological Factors Shaping Childhood Immunisation Hesitancy and Delay in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia
by Marwa Alabadi, Victoria Pitt and Zakariya Aldawood
Vaccines 2023, 11(9), 1400; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11091400 - 22 Aug 2023
Viewed by 1265
Abstract
(1) Background: Immunisation is a crucial and effective method for preventing infectious diseases, with its success dependent on high immunisation rates to protect under-immunised individuals and promote herd immunity. This qualitative descriptive study is part of a larger explanatory sequential mixed method design [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Immunisation is a crucial and effective method for preventing infectious diseases, with its success dependent on high immunisation rates to protect under-immunised individuals and promote herd immunity. This qualitative descriptive study is part of a larger explanatory sequential mixed method design that aims to explore factors influencing parents’ decision making to complete childhood immunisation in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, a country experiencing disparities in immunisation coverage across its population. (2) Methods: The sample consisted of a subset of participants from the initial quantitative phase, which included a survey on the immunisation attitudes of parents living in Qatif. This initial phase included n = 350 participants, who were over 18, had access to one of the 27 Primary Health Care (PHC) Centres in Qatif, and had a child under 24 months. This paper presents the qualitative–descriptive phase, which used a qualitative survey to gain open-ended responses from parents (n = 20) and analysed using thematic analysis. (3) Results: Participants identified certain vaccines, particularly MMR, as influencing their immunisation practices. Specific factors identified as deterring parents from immunising their children included fear of autism and other developmental delays, concerns about risks and side effects, mistrust in vaccine efficacy, and discouraging information from the media. Parents’ immunisation decisions were evidently affected by policy compliance, family and friends, and social networking sites. These factors are explained through the socio-ecological model. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic influenced parents’ decisions on vaccine completion in terms of perceived barriers, perceived benefits, and perceived trust. (4) Conclusions: By examining the social–ecological factors shaping parents’ decisions to immunise their children in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, this research contributes to the literature and informs the Saudi National Childhood Immunisation Programme about factors contributing to childhood immunisation hesitancy, helping to address a critical healthcare issue. Full article
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14 pages, 1211 KiB  
Article
The Factors Influencing Pregnant Women’s Selection of Media Sources to Obtain Information on COVID-19 in Japan in 2021
by Shihoko Komine-Aizawa, Naotake Yamada, Yasuo Haruyama, Masashi Deguchi, Mitsuru Fukuda, Kei Kawana, Gen Kobashi, Etsuko Miyagi, Hideto Yamada, Takashi Sugiyama and Satoshi Hayakawa
Vaccines 2023, 11(4), 805; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11040805 - 06 Apr 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1322
Abstract
Pregnant women presumably gather information about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) from various sources. However, it is difficult for pregnant women who are not medical professionals to source the appropriate information because of the infodemic related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the objective [...] Read more.
Pregnant women presumably gather information about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) from various sources. However, it is difficult for pregnant women who are not medical professionals to source the appropriate information because of the infodemic related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the objective of our study was to investigate how pregnant women gathered information about COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination. To address this issue, we conducted an online questionnaire survey between 5 October and 22 November 2021, which was approved by the Ethics Committee of Nihon University School of Medicine. We received 4962 responses after excluding 1179 insufficient answers. Our study found that age, occupation, and infection-risk anxiety influenced the selection of media for obtaining information. Pregnant women who were older, medical professionals, public servants, or educators tended to rely on specialized medical websites, whereas housewives tended to use mass media, social media, and sources with uncertain scientific evidence. Additionally, the number of weeks of gestation and the method of conception (natural or assisted reproductive conception) affected the selection of media. The accessibility of COVID-19 information for pregnant women was determined by their social background and pregnancy status. We need to continue making efforts to ensure that appropriate information is readily available to pregnant women and their families. Full article
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9 pages, 236 KiB  
Article
Maternal Tetanus Toxoid Vaccination in Benin: Evidence from the Demographic and Health Survey
by Daniel Amoak, Nancy Osei Kye, Florence Wullo Anfaara, Yujiro Sano and Roger Antabe
Vaccines 2023, 11(1), 77; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11010077 - 29 Dec 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1646
Abstract
Tetanus toxoid vaccination is critical for improving maternal and child health. Yet, the prevalence and correlates of maternal tetanus toxoid vaccination coverage remain largely underexplored in Benin where infant and child mortality rates are high. Using the 2017–18 Benin Demographic and Health Survey, [...] Read more.
Tetanus toxoid vaccination is critical for improving maternal and child health. Yet, the prevalence and correlates of maternal tetanus toxoid vaccination coverage remain largely underexplored in Benin where infant and child mortality rates are high. Using the 2017–18 Benin Demographic and Health Survey, we apply logistic regression analysis to address this void in the literature. We find that overall maternal vaccination coverage is 69%. A range of demographic, health care, and socioeconomic factors are associated with maternal tetanus toxoid vaccination coverage. Women aged 20–34 (OR = 0.84, p < 0.05) and 35–49 (OR = 0.63, p < 0.01) are less likely to receive tetanus toxoid vaccination in comparison to those aged 15–19. Health care factors are also significantly associated with maternal tetanus toxoid vaccination, indicating that women who deliver at home (OR = 0.20, p < 0.001) and visit antenatal care fewer than eight times (OR = 0.62, p < 0.001) are less likely to receive tetanus toxoid vaccination than their counterparts who deliver in a health facility and visit antenatal care eight times or more. We also find that women with secondary (OR = 0.54, p < 0.05), primary (OR = 0.47, p < 0.01), and no education (OR = 0.47, p < 0.01) are less likely to receive tetanus toxoid vaccination compared to their counterparts with higher education. Based on these findings, we discuss several implications for policymakers. Full article
11 pages, 841 KiB  
Article
Impact after the Change from Voluntary to Universal Oral Rotavirus Vaccination on Consecutive Emergency Department Visits for Acute Gastroenteritis among Children in Kobe City, Japan (2016–2022)
by Hiroshi Yamaguchi, Kandai Nozu, Hiroaki Hanafusa, Yoshinori Nambu, Takumi Kido, Atsushi Kondo, Akihiro Tamura, Hiroyuki Awano, Ichiro Morioka, Hiroaki Nagase and Akihito Ishida
Vaccines 2022, 10(11), 1831; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10111831 - 29 Oct 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1304
Abstract
Rotavirus (RV) is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis (AGE), particularly in infants. In 2006, the high efficacy of oral RV vaccines (RVVs, RotarixTM and RotaTeqTM) was demonstrated. Voluntary RVV started in Japan in 2011, and in October 2020 were [...] Read more.
Rotavirus (RV) is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis (AGE), particularly in infants. In 2006, the high efficacy of oral RV vaccines (RVVs, RotarixTM and RotaTeqTM) was demonstrated. Voluntary RVV started in Japan in 2011, and in October 2020 were launched as universal oral RVVs in Japan. However, the impact of changes from voluntary to universal RVVs has not been studied in a primary emergency medical center in Japan. We investigated changes in the number of pediatric patients with AGE after introducing universal RVVs in our center. A clinical database of consecutive patients aged <16 who presented to Kobe Children’s Primary Emergency Medical Center between 1 April 2016 and 30 June 2022 was reviewed. After implementing universal RVVs, fewer children presented with RV-associated AGE (the reduction of proportion of the patients in 2022 was −61.7% (all ages), −57.9% (<1 years), −67.8% (1–<3 years), and −61.4% (3–<5 years) compared to 2019). A similar decrease in those of age who were not covered by the universal RVV was observed. There was a significant decline in the number of patients with AGE during the RV season who presented to the emergency department after implementing universal RVVs. Full article
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9 pages, 251 KiB  
Article
Young Age, Female Sex, and No Comorbidities Are Risk Factors for Adverse Reactions after the Third Dose of BNT162b2 COVID-19 Vaccine against SARS-CoV-2: A Prospective Cohort Study in Japan
by Ryuta Urakawa, Emiko Tanaka Isomura, Kazuhide Matsunaga and Kazumi Kubota
Vaccines 2022, 10(8), 1357; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10081357 - 19 Aug 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4551
Abstract
Background: This study compared the adverse events (AEs) of the second and third doses of BNT162b2, as well as investigated the impact of vaccine recipients’ background and vaccination interval on the AEs of the third dose. Methods: We conducted a questionnaire survey of [...] Read more.
Background: This study compared the adverse events (AEs) of the second and third doses of BNT162b2, as well as investigated the impact of vaccine recipients’ background and vaccination interval on the AEs of the third dose. Methods: We conducted a questionnaire survey of AEs among health care workers at Osaka University Dental Hospital. Chi-square tests were performed to compare AEs to the administration of second and third vaccine doses. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors influencing the presence of AEs using age, sex, comorbidities, and the vaccination interval. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was calculated to investigate the correlation between age, vaccination interval, and severity of each AE. Results: The third dose of BNT162b2 was associated with significantly more frequent or milder AEs than the second dose. Logistic regression analyses detected significant differences in six items of AEs by age, three by sex, two by comorbidities, and zero by vaccination interval. Consistently, the risk of AEs was greater among younger persons, females, and those without comorbidities. Significant negative correlations were detected between age and vaccination interval, and between age and the severity of most AEs. Conclusions: Young, female, and having no comorbidities are risk factors for AEs after the third dose of BNT162b2, while vaccination interval is not. Full article
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