Journal Watch

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Journal Watch
Vaccines and Global Health: The Week in Review continues its weekly scanning of key peer-reviewed journals to identify and cite articles, commentary and editorials, books reviews and other content supporting our focu-s on vaccine ethics and policy. Journal Watch is not intended to be exhaustive, but indicative of themes and issues the Center is actively tracking. We selectively provide full text of some editorial and comment articles that are specifically relevant to our work. Successful access to some of the links provided may require subscription or other access arrangement unique to the publisher.
If you would like to suggest other journal titles to include in this service, please contact David Curry at: david.r.curry@centerforvaccineethicsandpolicy.org

Political Races, Religious Congregations, and Inefficacious Measures Amid the Second Wave of COVID-19 in India

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American Journal of Public Health
December 2021 111(12)
http://ajph.aphapublications.org/toc/ajph/current

 

PERSPECTIVES
Political Races, Religious Congregations, and Inefficacious Measures Amid the Second Wave of COVID-19 in India
Government, Health Service Delivery, Public Health Practice, Global Health
Akshay P. Raut and Nguyen Tien Huy

Using Statewide Electronic Health Record and Influenza Vaccination Data to Plan and Prioritize COVID-19 Vaccine Outreach and Communications in Wisconsin Communities

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American Journal of Public Health
December 2021 111(12)
http://ajph.aphapublications.org/toc/ajph/current

 

NOTES FROM THE FIELD
Using Statewide Electronic Health Record and Influenza Vaccination Data to Plan and Prioritize COVID-19 Vaccine Outreach and Communications in Wisconsin Communities
Mortality, Prevention, Immunization/Vaccines, Statistics/Evaluation/Research, Health Promotion, Community Health
Jessica Bonham-Werling, Allie J. DeLonay, Kristina Stephenson, Korina A. Hendricks, Lauren Bednarz, Jennifer M. Weiss, Matthew Gigot and Maureen A. Smith

A re-assessment of 4CMenB vaccine effectiveness against serogroup B invasive meningococcal disease in England based on an incidence model

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BMC Infectious Diseases
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcinfectdis/content
(Accessed 11 Dec 2021)

 

A re-assessment of 4CMenB vaccine effectiveness against serogroup B invasive meningococcal disease in England based on an incidence model
The four-component serogroup B meningococcal 4CMenB vaccine (Bexsero, GSK) has been routinely given to all infants in the United Kingdom at 2, 4 and 12 months of age since September 2015. After 3 years, Public He…
Authors: Lorenzo Argante, Victoria Abbing-Karahagopian, Kumaran Vadivelu, Rino Rappuoli and Duccio Medini
Citation: BMC Infectious Diseases 2021 21:1244
Content type: Research article
Published on: 11 December 2021

Number of doses of Measles-Mumps-Rubella vaccine applied in Brazil before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

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BMC Infectious Diseases
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcinfectdis/content
(Accessed 11 Dec 2021)

 

Number of doses of Measles-Mumps-Rubella vaccine applied in Brazil before and during the COVID-19 pandemic
Due to the social isolation measures adopted in an attempt to mitigate the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2, there has been a reduction in vaccination coverage of children and adolescents in several countrie…
Authors: Tércia Moreira Ribeiro da Silva, Ana Carolina Micheletti Gomide Nogueira de Sá, Ed Wilson Rodrigues Vieira, Elton Junio Sady Prates, Mark Anthony Beinner and Fernanda Penido Matozinhos
Citation: BMC Infectious Diseases 2021 21:1237
Content type: Research
Published on: 9 December 2021

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in people with migratory backgrounds: a cross-sectional study among Turkish- and German-speaking citizens in Munich

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BMC Infectious Diseases
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcinfectdis/content
(Accessed 11 Dec 2021)

 

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in people with migratory backgrounds: a cross-sectional study among Turkish- and German-speaking citizens in Munich
This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy of people with migratory backgrounds among Turkish- and German-speaking patients in Munich.
Authors: Zekeriya Aktürk, Klaus Linde, Alexander Hapfelmeier, Raphael Kunisch and Antonius Schneider
Citation: BMC Infectious Diseases 2021 21:1214
Content type: Research
Published on: 6 December 2021

Infodemics: A new challenge for public health

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Cell
Dec 09, 2021 Volume 184 Issue 25 p6007-6212
https://www.cell.com/cell/current

 

Featured Article
Infodemics: A new challenge for public health
Sylvie C. Briand, et al.
The COVID-19 information epidemic, or “infodemic,” demonstrates how unlimited access to information may confuse and influence behaviors during a health emergency. However, the study of infodemics is relatively new, and little is known about their relationship with epidemics management. Here, we discuss unresolved issues and propose research directions to enhance preparedness for future health crises.

Assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pragmatic clinical trial participants

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Contemporary Clinical Trials
Volume 111 December 2021
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/contemporary-clinical-trials/vol/111/suppl/C

 

Research article Full text access
Assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pragmatic clinical trial participants
Brian C. Coleman, Natalie Purcell, Mary Geda, Stephen L. Luther, … Robert R. Edwards
Article 106619

Toward best practices in research: Role of academic core facilities

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EMBO Reports
Volume 22 Issue 12 6 December 2021
https://www.embopress.org/toc/14693178/current

 

Science & Society 4 November 2021 Open Access
Toward best practices in research: Role of academic core facilities
Leonardo Restivo et al.
Academic Core Facilities are optimally situated to improve the quality of preclinical research by implementing quality control measures and offering these to their users.

Comparative Effectiveness of Coronavirus Vaccine in Preventing Breakthrough Infections among Vaccinated Persons Infected with Delta and Alpha Variants

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Emerging Infectious Diseases
Volume 27, Number 12—December 2021
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/

 

Expedited Articles
Comparative Effectiveness of Coronavirus Vaccine in Preventing Breakthrough Infections among Vaccinated Persons Infected with Delta and Alpha Variants
I. Kislaya et al.

Jordan: Criminal Court Sentences Doctors and Medical Technician to Jail for Causing Death of 10 COVID Patients

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Global Legal Monitor – Library of Congress/USA
https://www.loc.gov/collections/global-legal-monitor/
[Accessed 11 Dec 2021]

 

Article
Jordan: Criminal Court Sentences Doctors and Medical Technician to Jail for Causing Death of 10 COVID Patients
On December 5, 2021, the first instance criminal court in Jordan’s capital, Amman, sentenced five health officials to three years in prison for causing the deaths of 10 COVID-19 patients in a hospital on March 13, 2021, following an oxygen outage. The patients, who were being treated at the New Salt Public Hospital, a large … Continue reading “Jordan: Criminal Court Sentences Doctors and…
Contributor: Sadek, George
Date: 2021-12-08

Measuring health science research and development in Africa: mapping the available data

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Health Research Policy and Systems
http://www.health-policy-systems.com/content
[Accessed 11 Dec 2021]

 

Measuring health science research and development in Africa: mapping the available data
In recent years there have been calls to strengthen health sciences research capacity in African countries. This capacity can contribute to improvements in health, social welfare and poverty reduction through …
Authors: Clare Wenham, Olivier Wouters, Catherine Jones, Pamela A. Juma, Rhona M. Mijumbi-Deve, Joëlle L. Sobngwi-Tambekou and Justin Parkhurst
Citation: Health Research Policy and Systems 2021 19:142
Content type: Research
Published on: 11 December 2021

Localisation and local humanitarian action

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Humanitarian Exchange Magazine
Number 79, May 2021
https://odihpn.org/magazine/localisation-and-local-humanitarian-action/

 

Localisation and local humanitarian action
by HPN October 2020
The theme of this edition of Humanitarian Exchange is localisation+ and local humanitarian action. Five years ago this week, donors, United Nations (UN) agencies,  non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) committed within the Grand Bargain to increase multi-year investments in the institutional capacities of local and national responders, and to provide at least 25% of humanitarian funding to them as directly as possible. Since then, there is increasing consensus at policy and normative level, underscored by the Covid-19 pandemic, that local leadership should be supported.  Localisation has gone from a fringe conversation among policy-makers and aid agencies in 2016 to a formal priority under the Grand Bargain. Wider global movements on anti-racism and decolonisation have also brought new momentum to critical reflections on where power, knowledge and capacity reside in the humanitarian system. Yet progress has been slow and major gaps remain between the rhetoric around humanitarian partnerships, funding and coordination and practices on the ground.

Racial and Ethnic Representation in US Clinical Trials of New Drugs and Biologics, 2015-2019

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JAMA
December 7, 2021, Vol 326, No. 21, Pages 2105-2223
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/currentissue

 

Research Letter
Racial and Ethnic Representation in US Clinical Trials of New Drugs and Biologics, 2015-2019
Milena Lolic, MD, MS; Richardae Araojo, PharmD, MS; Melvyn Okeke, MPH; et al.
JAMA. 2021;326(21):2201-2203. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.16680
This study reviews the participation of racial and ethnic populations at US sites in 2015-2019 to understand the extent to which US trial participation represents the diversity of the US population.

Effect of High-Flow Oxygen Therapy vs Conventional Oxygen Therapy on Invasive Mechanical Ventilation and Clinical Recovery in Patients With Severe COVID-19A Randomized Clinical Trial

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JAMA
December 7, 2021, Vol 326, No. 21, Pages 2105-2223
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/currentissue

 

Original Investigation
Effect of High-Flow Oxygen Therapy vs Conventional Oxygen Therapy on Invasive Mechanical Ventilation and Clinical Recovery in Patients With Severe COVID-19A Randomized Clinical Trial
Gustavo A. Ospina-Tascón, MD, PhD; Luis Eduardo Calderón-Tapia, MD; Alberto F. García, MD, MSc; et al.
JAMA. 2021;326(21):2161-2171. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.20714
This randomized trial assesses the effect of high-flow oxygen therapy through a nasal cannula vs conventional oxygen therapy on 28-day intubation rates and time to clinical recovery among patients with respiratory distress due to COVID-19.

Antibody Titers Before and After a Third Dose of the SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 Vaccine in Adults Aged ≥60 Years

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JAMA
December 7, 2021, Vol 326, No. 21, Pages 2105-2223
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/currentissue

 

Antibody Titers Before and After a Third Dose of the SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 Vaccine in Adults Aged ≥60 Years
Noa Eliakim-Raz, MD; Yaara Leibovici-Weisman, MD; Amos Stemmer, MD; et al.
free access has active quiz
JAMA. 2021;326(21):2203-2204. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.19885
This study assesses antispike (anti-S) IgG antibody titers before and after a third BNT162b2 dose (booster) in individuals aged 60 years and older in Israel.

Strengthening the FDA’s Enforcement of ClinicalTrials.gov Reporting Requirements

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JAMA
December 7, 2021, Vol 326, No. 21, Pages 2105-2223
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/currentissue

 

Viewpoint
Strengthening the FDA’s Enforcement of ClinicalTrials.gov Reporting Requirements
Reshma Ramachandran, MD, MPP; Christopher J. Morten, JD, PhD; Joseph S. Ross, MD, MHS
free access
JAMA. 2021;326(21):2131-2132. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.19773
This Viewpoint discusses ways in which the FDA could harness its enforcement tools to bring important missing clinical trial results information to light and demonstrate its commitment to protecting patients through clinical trial transparency.

The Silent Crisis of Pediatric Clinical Practice Guidelines

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JAMA Pediatrics
December 2021, Vol 175, No. 12, Pages 1199-1300
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/currentissue

 

Viewpoint
The Silent Crisis of Pediatric Clinical Practice Guidelines
Corinna J. Rea, MD, MPH; Francisco J. Alvarez, MD; Joel S. Tieder, MD, MPH
JAMA Pediatr. 2021;175(12):1201-1202. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2021.2435
This Viewpoint discusses how to improve the current state of Clinical Practice Guidelines.

Stakeholders’ assessment of US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s contributions to the development of National Public Health Institutes in seven countries

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Journal of Public Health Policy
Volume 42, issue 4, December 2021
https://link.springer.com/journal/41271/volumes-and-issues/42-4

 

Stakeholders’ assessment of US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s contributions to the development of National Public Health Institutes in seven countries
Authors (first, second and last of 13) Mahlet A. Woldetsadik, Kaitlin Fitzpatrick, Shelly Bratton
Content type: Original Article
Published: 22 November 2021
Pages: 589 – 601

Advancing health equity with artificial intelligence

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Journal of Public Health Policy
Volume 42, issue 4, December 2021
https://link.springer.com/journal/41271/volumes-and-issues/42-4

 

Advancing health equity with artificial intelligence
Authors – Nicole M. Thomasian, Carsten Eickhoff
Eli Y. Adashi
Content type: Viewpoint
Published: 22 November 2021
Pages: 602 – 611
Abstract
Population and public health are in the midst of an artificial intelligence revolution capable of radically altering existing models of care delivery and practice. Just as AI seeks to mirror human cognition through its data-driven analytics, it can also reflect the biases present in our collective conscience. In this Viewpoint, we use past and counterfactual examples to illustrate the sequelae of unmitigated bias in healthcare artificial intelligence. Past examples indicate that if the benefits of emerging AI technologies are to be realized, consensus around the regulation of algorithmic bias at the policy level is needed to ensure their ethical integration into the health system. This paper puts forth regulatory strategies for uprooting bias in healthcare AI that can inform ongoing efforts to establish a framework for federal oversight. We highlight three overarching oversight principles in bias mitigation that maps to each phase of the algorithm life cycle.

Efficacy, safety, and lot-to-lot immunogenicity of an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (BBV152): interim results of a randomised, double-blind, controlled, phase 3 trial

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The Lancet
Dec 11, 2021 Volume 398 Number 10317 p2125-2206, e18
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/issue/current

 

Articles
Efficacy, safety, and lot-to-lot immunogenicity of an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (BBV152): interim results of a randomised, double-blind, controlled, phase 3 trial
Raches Ella, at al. on behalf of the COVAXIN Study Group
We report the clinical efficacy against COVID-19 infection of BBV152, a whole virion inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine formulated with a toll-like receptor 7/8 agonist molecule adsorbed to alum (Algel-IMDG) in Indian adults.

Promoting COVID-19 vaccine acceptance: recommendations from the Lancet Commission on Vaccine Refusal, Acceptance, and Demand in the USA

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The Lancet
Dec 11, 2021 Volume 398 Number 10317 p2125-2206, e18
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/issue/current

 

Health Policy
Promoting COVID-19 vaccine acceptance: recommendations from the Lancet Commission on Vaccine Refusal, Acceptance, and Demand in the USA
Saad B Omer, et al.
Summary
Since the first case of COVID-19 was identified in the USA in January, 2020, over 46 million people in the country have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Several COVID-19 vaccines have received emergency use authorisations from the US Food and Drug Administration, with the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine receiving full approval on Aug 23, 2021. When paired with masking, physical distancing, and ventilation, COVID-19 vaccines are the best intervention to sustainably control the pandemic. However, surveys have consistently found that a sizeable minority of US residents do not plan to get a COVID-19 vaccine. The most severe consequence of an inadequate uptake of COVID-19 vaccines has been sustained community transmission (including of the delta [B.1.617.2] variant, a surge of which began in July, 2021). Exacerbating the direct impact of the virus, a low uptake of COVID-19 vaccines will prolong the social and economic repercussions of the pandemic on families and communities, especially low-income and minority ethnic groups, into 2022, or even longer. The scale and challenges of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign are unprecedented. Therefore, through a series of recommendations, we present a coordinated, evidence-based education, communication, and behavioural intervention strategy that is likely to improve the success of COVID-19 vaccine programmes across the USA.

Factors associated with the unwillingness of Jordanians, Palestinians and Syrians to be vaccinated against COVID-19

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PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
http://www.plosntds.org/
(Accessed 11 Dec 2021)

 

Research Article
Factors associated with the unwillingness of Jordanians, Palestinians and Syrians to be vaccinated against COVID-19
Sima Zein, Sarah B. Abdallah, Ahmed Al-Smadi, Omar Gammoh, Wajdy J. Al-Awaida, Hanan J. Al-Zein
| published 09 Dec 2021 PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0009957

Recurrent SARS-CoV-2 infections and their potential risk to public health – a systematic review

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PLoS One
http://www.plosone.org/
[Accessed 11 Dec 2021]

 

Research Article
Recurrent SARS-CoV-2 infections and their potential risk to public health – a systematic review
Seth Kofi Abrokwa, Sophie Alice Müller, Alba Méndez-Brito, Johanna Hanefeld, Charbel El Bcheraoui
Research Article | published 09 Dec 2021 PLOS ONE
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0261221

Age-related mortality in 61,993 confirmed COVID-19 cases over three epidemic waves in Aragon, Spain. Implications for vaccination programmes

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PLoS One
http://www.plosone.org/
[Accessed 11 Dec 2021]

 

Age-related mortality in 61,993 confirmed COVID-19 cases over three epidemic waves in Aragon, Spain. Implications for vaccination programmes
Diego Casas-Deza, Vanesa Bernal-Monterde, Angel Nicolás Aranda-Alonso, Enrique Montil-Miguel, Ana Belen Julián-Gomara, Laura Letona-Giménez, Jose M. Arbones-Mainar
Research Article | published 09 Dec 2021 PLOS ONE
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0261061

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among the adult population in Bangladesh: A nationwide cross-sectional survey

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PLoS One
http://www.plosone.org/
[Accessed 11 Dec 2021]

 

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among the adult population in Bangladesh: A nationwide cross-sectional survey
Mohammad Bellal Hossain, Md. Zakiul Alam, Md. Syful Islam, Shafayat Sultan, Md. Mahir Faysal, Sharmin Rima, Md. Anwer Hossain, Abdullah Al Mamun
Research Article | published 09 Dec 2021 PLOS ONE
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0260821

Good news reduces trust in government and its efficacy: The case of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine announcement

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PLoS One
http://www.plosone.org/
[Accessed 11 Dec 2021]

 

Good news reduces trust in government and its efficacy: The case of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine announcement
Shaun P. Hargreaves Heap, Christel Koop, Konstantinos Matakos, Aslı Unan, Nina Weber
Research Article | published 09 Dec 2021 PLOS ONE
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0260216

Pertussis immunisation in infancy and atopic outcomes: A protocol for a population-based cohort study using linked administrative data

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PLoS One
http://www.plosone.org/
[Accessed 11 Dec 2021]

 

Pertussis immunisation in infancy and atopic outcomes: A protocol for a population-based cohort study using linked administrative data
Gladymar Pérez Chacón, Parveen Fathima, Mark Jones, Rosanne Barnes, Peter C. Richmond, Heather F. Gidding, Hannah C. Moore, Thomas L. Snelling
Registered Report Protocol | published 07 Dec 2021 PLOS ONE
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0260388

Full immunization coverage and associated factors among children aged 12–23 months in Somali Region, Eastern Ethiopia

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PLoS One
http://www.plosone.org/
[Accessed 11 Dec 2021]

 

Full immunization coverage and associated factors among children aged 12–23 months in Somali Region, Eastern Ethiopia
Zemenu Shiferaw Yadita, Liyew Mekonen Ayehubizu
Research Article | published 07 Dec 2021 PLOS ONE
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0260258