1
|
Capone G, Eriksson B, Al M, van Belkum S, Broich K, Lamas M, Lunzer M, Nolan L, Ester C, Garcia Burgos J, Pioppo L, Zanoletty A, Arlett P. Accelerating clinical trials in the EU (ACT EU): transforming the EU clinical trials landscape. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2024:10.1038/d41573-024-00085-5. [PMID: 38783027 DOI: 10.1038/d41573-024-00085-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
|
2
|
Huneycutt BJ, Acha V. The ASAP Framework: A New Tool for Regulatory Agencies to Facilitate Adoption of Pandemic Approaches. Health Secur 2024. [PMID: 38624265 DOI: 10.1089/hs.2023.0023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Brenda J Huneycutt
- Brenda J. Huneycutt, PhD, JD, MPH, is Director, Global Regulatory Policy and Intelligence, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ
| | - Virginia Acha
- Virginia Acha, DPhil, MPhil, is Associate Vice President, Global Regulatory Policy and Intelligence, MSD (UK) Limited, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Castro I, Van Tricht M, Bonaccorso N, Sciortino M, Garcia Burgos J, Costantino C, Gonzalez-Quevedo R. Stakeholders' Understanding of European Medicine Agency's COVID-19 Vaccine Information Materials in EU and Regional Contexts. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1616. [PMID: 37897018 PMCID: PMC10610863 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11101616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic posed challenges to communicating accurate information about vaccines because of the spread of misinformation. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) tried to reassure the public by communicating early on about the development and approval of COVID-19 vaccines. The EMA surveyed patients/consumers, healthcare professional organizations, and individual stakeholders, both at the EU level and in an Italian regional context. The objectives of the study were to see if the EMA's core information materials were informative and well-understood and which communication channels were preferred by the public. The main findings showed that individual patients/consumers generally prefer to obtain information about COVID-19 vaccines from the internet or mass media, while organizations and individual healthcare professionals prefer to obtain information from national and international health authorities. Both at EU and local levels, participants had a good understanding of the key messages from regulators and found the materials useful and relevant. However, some improvements were recommended to the visual, text, and dissemination formats, including publishing more information on safety and using a more public-friendly language. Also, it was recommended to maintain the EMA's approach of using media, stakeholder engagement, and web-based formats to communicate about COVID-19 vaccines. In conclusion, user-testing of proactive communication materials aimed to prebunk misinformation during a public health crisis helps to ensure that users understand the development and safety of novel vaccine technologies. This information can then be used as a basis for further evidence-based communication activities by regulators and public health bodies in an emergency context.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Indiana Castro
- Public and Stakeholder Engagement Department, European Medicines Agency, Domenico Scarlattilaan 6, 1083 HS Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marie Van Tricht
- Public and Stakeholder Engagement Department, European Medicines Agency, Domenico Scarlattilaan 6, 1083 HS Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nicole Bonaccorso
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (M.S.); (C.C.)
| | - Martina Sciortino
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (M.S.); (C.C.)
| | - Juan Garcia Burgos
- Public and Stakeholder Engagement Department, European Medicines Agency, Domenico Scarlattilaan 6, 1083 HS Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Claudio Costantino
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (M.S.); (C.C.)
| | - Rosa Gonzalez-Quevedo
- Public and Stakeholder Engagement Department, European Medicines Agency, Domenico Scarlattilaan 6, 1083 HS Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Custodero C, Veronese N, Topinkova E, Michalkova H, Polidori MC, Cella A, Cruz-Jentoft AJ, von Arnim CAF, Azzini M, Gruner H, Castagna A, Cenderello G, Custureri R, Zieschang T, Padovani A, Sanchez-Garcia E, Pilotto A. The Role of Multidimensional Prognostic Index to Identify Hospitalized Older Adults with COVID-19 Who Can Benefit from Remdesivir Treatment: An Observational, Prospective, Multicenter Study. Drugs Aging 2023:10.1007/s40266-023-01036-2. [PMID: 37310575 DOI: 10.1007/s40266-023-01036-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Data regarding the importance of multidimensional frailty to guide clinical decision making for remdesivir use in older patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are largely unexplored. OBJECTIVE The aim of this research was to evaluate if the Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI), a multidimensional frailty tool based on the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA), may help physicians in identifying older hospitalized patients affected by COVID-19 who might benefit from the use of remdesivir. METHODS This was a multicenter, prospective study of older adults hospitalized for COVID-19 in 10 European hospitals, followed-up for 90 days after hospital discharge. A standardized CGA was performed at hospital admission and the MPI was calculated, with a final score ranging between 0 (lowest mortality risk) and 1 (highest mortality risk). We assessed survival with Cox regression, and the impact of remdesivir on mortality (overall and in hospital) with propensity score analysis, stratified by MPI = 0.50. RESULTS Among 496 older adults hospitalized for COVID-19 (mean age 80 years, female 59.9%), 140 (28.2% of patients) were treated with remdesivir. During the 90 days of follow-up, 175 deaths were reported, 115 in hospital. Remdesivir treatment significantly reduced the risk of overall mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 0.54, 95% confidence interval CI 0.35-0.83 in the propensity score analysis) in the sample as whole. Stratifying the population, based on MPI score, the effect was observed only in less frail participants (HR 0.47, 95% CI 0.22-0.96 in propensity score analysis), but not in frailer subjects. In-hospital mortality was not influenced by remdesivir use. CONCLUSIONS MPI could help to identify less frail older adults hospitalized for COVID-19 who could benefit more from remdesivir treatment in terms of long-term survival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Custodero
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola Veronese
- Geriatric Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Palermo, via del Vespro, 141, 90127, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Eva Topinkova
- Department of Geriatrics, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Helena Michalkova
- Department of Geriatrics, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Maria Cristina Polidori
- Ageing Clinical Research, Department II of Internal Medicine and Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Alberto Cella
- Department of Geriatric Care, Orthogeriatrics and Rehabilitation, Galliera Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | | | | | - Margherita Azzini
- Geriatrics Unit, "Mater Salutis" Hospital, Legnago ULSS 9 Scaligera, Verona, Italy
| | - Heidi Gruner
- Serviço de Medicina Interna, Hospital Curry Cabral, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Central/Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | | | - Romina Custureri
- Department of Geriatric Care, Orthogeriatrics and Rehabilitation, Galliera Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - Tania Zieschang
- Klinikum Oldenburg AöR, Oldenburg University, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Alessandro Padovani
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Alberto Pilotto
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
- Department of Geriatric Care, Orthogeriatrics and Rehabilitation, Galliera Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Dehaghi ROA, Khadem Broojerdi A, Paganini L, Sillo HB. Collaborative training of regulators as an approach for strengthening regulatory systems in LMICs: experiences of the WHO and Swissmedic. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1173291. [PMID: 37275356 PMCID: PMC10233123 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1173291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Training opportunities for health product regulators are among the critical aspects in the strengthening of regulatory systems across the world. The need for training is reasonably higher among the National Regulatory Agencies (NRAs) in the Low- and Middle-Income countries (LMICs) which are faced with many regulatory challenges mostly rooted in the low availability of resources. The current study aimed at evaluating the suitability, impacts, and challenges related to the training of regulators from LMICs offered by the Swissmedic in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO). Methodology An exploratory case study design using a qualitative approach was adopted to collect data from a total of 17 NRAs in different WHO regions using in-depth interviews and qualitative questionnaires. Results The participation of the trainees in the training was revealed to be motivated by the need to apply the obtained knowledge in addressing various challenges within their NRAs. Many lessons covering all key areas of health products regulation were reported by the trainees, whereby most of the lessons were already being implemented within their respective NRAs. However, challenges related to human, financial, and infrastructural resources were highlighted to hinder the ongoing efforts in putting the learned aspects into practice. Additionally, areas in which further regulatory assistance and suggestions for improving the training activities were pointed out. Conclusion The highlighted gains from the WHO-Swissmedic collaborative training program call for other agencies and organizations to join hands in offering much-needed support towards addressing critical challenges facing the regulatory sector in the LMICs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lodovico Paganini
- Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products (Swissmedic), Bern, Switzerland
| | - Hiiti B. Sillo
- Regulation and Safety Unit, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Abdin AY, De Pretis F, Landes J. Fast Methods for Drug Approval: Research Perspectives for Pandemic Preparedness. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2404. [PMID: 36767769 PMCID: PMC9915940 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Public heath emergencies such as the outbreak of novel infectious diseases represent a major challenge for drug regulatory bodies, practitioners, and scientific communities. In such critical situations drug regulators and public health practitioners base their decisions on evidence generated and synthesised by scientists. The urgency and novelty of the situation create high levels of uncertainty concerning the safety and effectiveness of drugs. One key tool to mitigate such emergencies is pandemic preparedness. There seems to be, however, a lack of scholarly work on methodology for assessments of new or existing drugs during a pandemic. Issues related to risk attitudes, evidence production and evidence synthesis for drug approval require closer attention. This manuscript, therefore, engages in a conceptual analysis of relevant issues of drug assessment during a pandemic. To this end, we rely in our analysis on recent discussions in the philosophy of science and the philosophy of medicine. Important unanswered foundational questions are identified and possible ways to answer them are considered. Similar problems often have similar solutions, hence studying similar situations can provide important clues. We consider drug assessments of orphan drugs and drug assessments during endemics as similar to drug assessment during a pandemic. Furthermore, other scientific fields which cannot carry out controlled experiments may guide the methodology to draw defeasible causal inferences from imperfect data. Future contributions on methodologies for addressing the issues raised here will indeed have great potential to improve pandemic preparedness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Yaman Abdin
- Division of Bioorganic Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Saarland University, D-66123 Saarbrucken, Germany
| | - Francesco De Pretis
- Department of Communication and Economics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 42121 Reggio Emilia, Italy
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jürgen Landes
- Department of Philosophy “Piero Martinetti”, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Abed I, Gonzalez-Quevedo R, Mura M, Dias M, da Rocha Dias S, García Burgos J. Commentary on the European Medicines Agency's extended mandate: Protecting public health in times of crisis and improving availability of medicines and medical devices. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2023; 89:5-10. [PMID: 36345231 PMCID: PMC10098850 DOI: 10.1111/bcp.15567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Inga Abed
- Public and Stakeholders Engagement, European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Rosa Gonzalez-Quevedo
- Public and Stakeholders Engagement, European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Manuela Mura
- Health Threats and Vaccines Strategy, European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Monica Dias
- Supply and Availability of Medicines and Devices, Regulatory Science and Innovation Task Force, European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Silvy da Rocha Dias
- Expert Panels & Groups, Committees and Quality Assurance, European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Juan García Burgos
- Public and Stakeholders Engagement, European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Dal-Ré R, Porcher R, Rosendaal FR, Schwarzer-Daum B. Regulatory agencies disregard real-world effectiveness evidence on product labels beyond what is reasonable. J Clin Epidemiol 2023; 153:83-90. [PMID: 36371045 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2022.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Dal-Ré
- Epidemiology Unit, Health Research Institute-Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Raphaël Porcher
- Université de Paris, Centre of Research in Epidemiology and Statistics (CRESS-UMR1153), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Paris, France
| | - Frits R Rosendaal
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Vignali V, Hines PA, Cruz AG, Ziętek B, Herold R. Health horizons: Future trends and technologies from the European Medicines Agency's horizon scanning collaborations. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:1064003. [PMID: 36569125 PMCID: PMC9772004 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.1064003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In medicines development, the progress in science and technology is accelerating. Awareness of these developments and their associated challenges and opportunities is essential for medicines regulators and others to translate them into benefits for society. In this context, the European Medicines Agency uses horizon scanning to shine a light on early signals of relevant innovation and technological trends with impact on medicinal products. This article provides the results of systematic horizon scanning exercises conducted by the Agency, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Commission's Joint Research Centre's (DG JRC). These collaborative exercises aim to inform policy-makers of new trends and increase preparedness in responding to them. A subset of 25 technological trends, divided into three clusters were selected and reviewed from the perspective of medicines regulators. For each of these trends, the expected impact and challenges for their adoption are discussed, along with recommendations for developers, regulators and policy makers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Vignali
- European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, Netherlands,Department of Biomedical Engineering, W.J. Kolff Institute, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Philip A. Hines
- European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, Netherlands,Faculty of Health Medicines and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands,*Correspondence: Philip A. Hines,
| | | | | | - Ralf Herold
- European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Cadeddu C, Rosano A, Villani L, Coiante GB, Minicucci I, Pascucci D, de Waure C. Planning and Organization of the COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign: An Overview of Eight European Countries. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:1631. [PMID: 36298496 PMCID: PMC9609247 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10101631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The initial progress of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign worldwide depended on several aspects, including programmatic/practical issues. This paper focused on the planning and organization of COVID-19 vaccination campaigns in eight European countries (Sweden, Denmark, Romania, Hungary, Italy, Spain, Germany, and France), from the launch to August 2021. Information on the planning of the vaccination campaign (release and update of a national immunization plan, types of vaccines being used and their limitations/suspensions) and its organization (vaccination target groups, possibility of citizens' choice, vaccination workforce and settings, vaccines procurement) were obtained through desk research of international and national reports, plans, and websites. Eventually, data on vaccination coverage were drawn from Our world in data and analyzed through join point regression. The eight countries showed differences in groups prioritization, limitations/suspensions of use of specific vaccines, citizens' possibility to choose vaccines, and vaccination workforce involved. These issues could have contributed to the different progress towards high levels of vaccination coverage. In respect to vaccination coverage, Romania reached much lower levels than other countries. Further comparative research is needed in order to identify best practices in vaccination campaign that could be useful for the next phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, and be better prepared for future potential pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Cadeddu
- Section of Hygiene, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Aldo Rosano
- National Institute for the Analysis of Public Policy—INAPP, 00198 Rome, Italy
| | - Leonardo Villani
- Section of Hygiene, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Ilaria Minicucci
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Domenico Pascucci
- Section of Hygiene, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara de Waure
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Dal-Ré R, Porcher R, Rosendaal FR, Schwarzer-Daum B. It is time to include real-world effectiveness data on medicinal product labels. THE LANCET. RESPIRATORY MEDICINE 2022; 10:e28-e29. [PMID: 35026176 DOI: 10.1016/s2213-2600(22)00003-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Dal-Ré
- Epidemiology Unit, Health Research Institute-Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid E-28040, Spain.
| | - Raphaël Porcher
- Centre of Research in Epidemiology and Statistics, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, University of Paris, Paris, France
| | - Frits R Rosendaal
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Goldman M. The Safety of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines: Vigilance Is Still Required. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11051248. [PMID: 35268339 PMCID: PMC8910899 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11051248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The opinion I put forward in this paper is that attention must continue to be paid to clinical observations compatible with a detrimental effect of anti-SARS-CoV-2 in certain diseases of immunological nature. Using the example of the atypical thrombocytopenic thromboses caused by adenoviral-vector-based vaccines, I argue that usual post-marketing pharmacovigilance programs may fail in identifying very rare vaccine-related disorders. Since the robust protective immunity induced by mRNA vaccines is related to their distinct capacity to induce strong stimulation of T follicular helper cells, I suggest that the safety of mRNA vaccines should be further assessed by appropriately designed epidemiological and mechanistic studies focusing on lymphoproliferative and autoimmune diseases in which T follicular helper cells were found to play a key role.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michel Goldman
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Innovation in Healthcare, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1180 Brussels, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
COVID-19 Vaccination Intention Associated with Behaviors towards Protection and Perceptions Regarding the Pandemic. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12020295. [PMID: 35207785 PMCID: PMC8877246 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12020295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The impressively rapid availability of different types of COVID-19 vaccines and, on the other hand, the degree of their effectiveness as opposed to the likelihood of serious or non-serious side effects place a fairly large percentage of the population at a crossroads regarding the choice to get vaccinated or not, hence threatening achievement of total immunization coverage and full immunity. This study aimed to assess COVID-19 vaccination intention in Greece regarding protection behaviors and perceptions of the pandemic. Methods: A total of 3753 participants completed a specially designed electronic questionnaire anonymously and voluntarily. The study population consisted of healthcare workers, students, members of professional societies, teachers, and professors. The questionnaire was composed of four parts pertaining to demographic data and possible changes in hygiene attitudes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: In total, 43.3% of the participants stated that SARS-CoV-2 poses a significant risk. The most widespread protection practice was avoiding crowded places (90.1%), followed by reducing the use of public transport (86.1%) and washing their hands with soap and water more often than usual (84.2%). Women undertook significantly more behavioral changes than men and participants of other nationalities. About half of the participants (44%) implemented seven behavioral changes. Lower personal and general perceived risk due to COVID-19 was significantly associated with lower intention to get vaccinated. Conclusion: Strong hesitancy was observed towards COVID-19 vaccination. There is a need for further studies to be conducted to investigate the benefits and safety of vaccines for the purpose of better informing the public. Healthcare personnel can and should play a key role in this process.
Collapse
|