Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is an ongoing pandemic, which affected around 45 million confirmed cases of COVID‐19, including more than 6 million deaths. However, on November 24, 2021, the World Health Organization announced a new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 variant designated as the B.1.1.529, a variant of concern (VOC), and the variant has been named as “Omicron.” Available preliminary evidence suggests that, as compared with previous VOCs, it has an increased risk of infectivity. Studies have shown that protection from various vaccines effectiveness against hospitalization and death from severe COVID‐19 disease is decreasing slowly after a two‐dose schedule of COVID‐19 vaccines. In response to experiencing a new COVID‐19 variant and ongoing resurgence of cases, the importance of COVID‐19 vaccine booster dose and durability of the effect of the third dose of vaccine against COVID‐19 Omicron variant is controversial yet. To address this, we conducted a systematic literature survey on effectiveness of the third or booster dose of COVID‐19 vaccine against the Omicron variant. We have performed a systematic search in PubMed (Medline), Google Scholar, and MedRXiv database, from inception to January 2022 using the MeSH terms and keywords “Corona Virus Disease‐2019 OR COVID‐19 AND Omicron AND COVID‐19 Booster Vaccine.” We have identified a total of 27 published studies. We have reviewed all the eligible available studies on the effectiveness of the COVID‐19 vaccine booster shots against the Omicron variant. This review may be helpful in accelerating the COVID‐19 booster dose vaccination.

Purpose Pain is an unpleasant sensation, but a protective mechanism of our body. It is the most common medical complaint requiring a visit to a physician. The new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) – zaltoprofen, is a preferential COX-2 inhibitor. It also inhibits bradykinin-induced nociceptive responses by blocking the B2 receptor-mediated pathway in the primary sensory neurons. The present study was conducted to evaluate and compare the anti-nociceptive activity of zaltoprofen with a conventional NSAID – piroxicam, in a mouse model of acute pain using hot plate and tail flick tests. Materials and methods Twenty-four adult Swiss albino mice (20–25 g) of either sex were used in this study. Oral zaltoprofen and piroxicam were used as test and standard drugs respectively. Anti-nociceptive activity was evaluated and compared using hot plate and tail flick tests. Results In comparison to the control group (vehicle), zaltoprofen showed a significant increase in reaction time at various time periods in the hot plate and tail flick tests. In the hot plate method, zaltoprofen groups (15 and 20 mg/kg) showed a significant elevation in pain threshold in comparison to control group (vehicle) ( p <0.001). In the tail flick model also, zaltoprofen groups (15 and 20 mg/kg) showed a significant increase in the reaction time in comparison to control group (vehicle). In both the analgesiometer assays, zaltoprofen was found to be non-inferior compared to a standard drug – piroxicam (positive control). Conclusion Our study concludes that zaltoprofen is an effective analgesic agent in various pain models. Our results support that zaltoprofen has therapeutic potential for treating pain disorders and is non-inferior to a standard drug – piroxicam.

A COVID-19 patient often presents with multiple comorbidities and is associated with adverse outcomes. A comprehensive assessment of the prevalence of comorbidities in patients with COVID-19 is essential. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of comorbidities, severity and mortality with regard to geographic region, age, gender and smoking status in patients with COVID-19. A systematic review and multistage meta-analyses were reported using PRISMA guidelines. PubMed/MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Google Scholar and EMBASE were searched from January 2020 to October 2022. Cross-sectional studies, cohort studies, case series studies, and case–control studies on comorbidities reporting among the COVID-19 populations that were published in English were included. The pooled prevalence of various medical conditions in COVID-19 patients was calculated based on regional population size weights. Stratified analyses were performed to understand the variations in the medical conditions based on age, gender, and geographic region. A total of 190 studies comprising 105 million COVID-19 patients were included. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA software, version 16 MP (StataCorp, College Station, TX). Meta-analysis of proportion was performed to obtain pooled values of the prevalence of medical comorbidities: hypertension (39%, 95% CI 36–42, n = 170 studies), obesity (27%, 95% CI 25–30%, n = 169 studies), diabetes (27%, 95% CI 25–30%, n = 175), and asthma (8%, 95% CI 7–9%, n = 112). Moreover, the prevalence of hospitalization was 35% (95% CI 29–41%, n = 61), intensive care admissions 17% (95% CI 14–21, n = 106), and mortality 18% (95% CI 16–21%, n = 145). The prevalence of hypertension was highest in Europe at 44% (95% CI 39–47%, n = 68), obesity and diabetes at 30% (95% CI, 26–34, n = 79) and 27% (95%CI, 24–30, n = 80) in North America, and asthma in Europe at 9% (95% CI 8–11, n = 41). Obesity was high among the ≥ 50 years (30%, n = 112) age group, diabetes among Men (26%, n = 124) and observational studies reported higher mortality than case–control studies (19% vs. 14%). Random effects meta-regression found a significant association between age and diabetes (p < 0.001), hypertension (p < 0.001), asthma (p < 0.05), ICU admission (p < 0.05) and mortality (p < 0.001). Overall, a higher global prevalence of hypertension (39%) and a lower prevalence of asthma (8%), and 18% of mortality were found in patients with COVID-19. Hence, geographical regions with respective chronic medical comorbidities should accelerate regular booster dose vaccination, preferably to those patients with chronic comorbidities, to prevent and lower the severity and mortality of COVID-19 disease with novel SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC).