BackgroundVaccines are one of the main cornerstones in the global initiatives to control the COVID-19 pandemic. National vaccination programs largely depend on vaccine availability and acceptance by a large proportion of the population to confer a measurable impact on SARS-CoV-2 transmission. In this study we determine the acceptance, barriers and facilitators of COVID-19 vaccination amongst healthcare workers (HCWs) in PakistanMethodsA structured and validated questionnaire was used in an online cross-sectional study. Health care workers residing in Pakistan were invited between 31st January to 9th February to participate in this survey ResultsA total of 436 health-care workers took part in this survey and among those 327 (75%) were doctors. 260 (60%) health-care workers indicated that they would accept vaccination against COVID-19. 308 (71%) were completely confident or confident in using USA, UK manufactured COVID-19 vaccine. The acceptance concerning a potential Chinese vaccine was 267 (61%). 292 (67%) strongly agreed or agreed that they are concerned about the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination while the concerns for safety were 293 (67%) ConclusionsAbout a third of HCWs, a group generally biased towards early acceptance of health interventions – expressed concerns or refusal of vaccination against COVID-19 in this survey. A dedicated communication plan and information campaign addressing the issues of efficacy, quality, logistics and religious concerns is needed to address these hurdles to allow for a successful national vaccination campaign.

Background & Objective: COVID-19 vaccine has become available within a record time but mere availability will not control the pandemic. High vaccine acceptance is required. The objective was to determine COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and its associated factors among Pakistani population. Methods: An online survey using google form, was conducted from January 31st to February 9th, 2021 before the start of the mass vaccination in Pakistan. The questionnaire had questions about demographics plus vaccine hesitancy. We received a total of 1156 responses. Data was analyzed using STATA version 14. We employed descriptive statistics and chi square test. Results: A total of 1156 responses were received. 65% were male and 35% female. Only 6% were uneducated. Thirty percent had tested positive for COVID-19 earlier. Forty-six percent of the respondents would take (acceptance) a vaccine if available. Forty-eight percent and 45% were confident in using USA/UK and Chinese vaccine respectively. Gender and marital status was statistically significantly associated with vaccine acceptance. Concerns about the side effects were 55% while for efficacy it was 69%. Twenty-three percent were concerned about the permissibility of the vaccine on religious grounds. Conclusion: Gender and marital status was significantly associated with vaccine acceptance. Forty-six percent respondents were willing to take the vaccine. Among the vaccine hesitant group, respondents were worried about the side effects, safety and religious permissibility of vaccine. Policy makers and all the relevant stakeholders should consider low vaccine acceptance as a major bottleneck and should devise strategies to address this major issue in the fight against COVID-19. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.2.6051 How to cite this: Rehman K, Arif N, Jawad M, Muhammad A. COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and its drivers among Pakistani population. Pak J Med Sci. 2023;39(2):553-556. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.2.6051 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Background: Malabsorption is the typical presentation of celiac disease in early childhood, whereas older children can present with extra-intestinal symptoms including short stature and delay in pubertal development.Objective: To determine the frequency of celiac disease in shortening of stature in children.Material and methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Pediatric Department in Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, on 152 short stature children of both genders aged 5 to 16 years. Children with dysmorphic faces, syndromes, endocrine disorders, and children or their parents who refused to give consent were excluded. Anthropometric measurement was done on standard equipment. Height and weight were plotted on WHO centile charts. All the children fulfilling inclusion criteria were advised serologic antitissue transglutaminase antibodies tests.Results: Overall the frequency of celiac disease was 33.77% (n=51) among the children with short stature. The mean age of the study was 6.71±1.52 years. There were 76 males (50.3%), while there were 75 females 49.7%. The frequency of celiac disease among short stature females was higher (n=28, 54.9%) than short stature males (n=23, 45.1%). However, the results were not statistically significant (P=0.358). The frequency of celiac disease stratified by age group was not statistically significant (P=0.491).Conclusion: One-third of children having short stature have celiac disease. The frequency of celiac disease in children with short stature has no association with gender and age.

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Background Vaccines are one of the main cornerstones in the global initiatives to control the COVID-19 pandemic. National vaccination programs largely depend on vaccine availability and acceptance by a large proportion of the population to confer a measurable impact on SARS-CoV-2 transmission. In this study we determine the acceptance, barriers and facilitators of COVID-19 vaccination amongst healthcare workers (HCWs) in Pakistan Methods A structured and validated questionnaire was used in an online cross-sectional study. Health care workers residing in Pakistan were invited between 31st January to 9th February to participate in this survey. Results A total of 436 health-care workers took part in this survey and among those 327 (75%) were doctors. 260 (60%) health-care workers indicated that they would accept vaccination against COVID-19. 308 (71%) were completely confident or confident in using USA, UK manufactured COVID-19 vaccine. The acceptance concerning a potential Chinese vaccine was 267 (61%). 292 (67%) strongly agreed or agreed that they are concerned about the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination while the concerns for safety were 293 (67%). Conclusions About a third of HCWs, a group generally biased towards early acceptance of health interventions – expressed concerns or refusal of vaccination against COVID-19 in this survey. A dedicated communication plan and information campaign addressing the issues of efficacy, quality, logistics and religious concerns is needed to address these hurdles to allow for a successful national vaccination campaign.