Narrative Review of the Evolution of COVID-19 Vaccination Recommendations in Countries in Latin America, Africa and the Middle East, and Asia

Abstract

The rapid rollout of vaccines to combat the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic over the past 2 years has resulted in the use of various vaccine platforms and regional differences in COVID-19 vaccine implementation strategies. The aim of this narrative review was to summarize evolving COVID-19 vaccine recommendations in countries in Latin America, Asia, and Africa and the Middle East across various vaccine platforms, age groups, and specific subpopulations. Nuances in primary and booster vaccination schedules were evaluated, and the preliminary impact of such diverse vaccination strategies are discussed, including key vaccine effectiveness data in the era of Omicron-lineage variants. Primary vaccination rates for included Latin American countries were 71–94% for adults and between 41% and 98% for adolescents and children; rates for first booster in adults were 36–85%. Primary vaccination rates for adults in the included Asian countries ranged from 64% in the Philippines to 98% in Malaysia, with corresponding booster rates varying from 9% in India to 78% in Singapore; for adolescents and children, primary vaccination rates ranged from 29% in the Philippines to 93% in Malaysia. Across included African and Middle Eastern countries, primary vaccination rates in adults varied widely from 32% in South Africa to 99% in the United Arab Emirates; booster rates ranged from 5% in South Africa to 60% in Bahrain. Evidence from the regions studied indicates preference of using an mRNA vaccine as a booster on the basis of safety and effectiveness of observed real-world data, especially during circulation of Omicron lineages. Vaccination against COVID-19 remains of paramount importance to reduce the burden of disease; strategies to overcome vaccine inequity, fatigue, hesitancy, and misinformation and to ensure adequate access and supply are also important.

Vaccine-Induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia: Clinicopathologic Features and New Perspectives on Anti-PF4 Antibody-Mediated Disorders

“…The incidence rates of VITT following ChAdOx1-S vary substantially by region: 17.6 cases per million doses in Nordic countries, and 10 cases per million doses in the UK, compared with 0.2 cases per million doses in Asian countries [3]. Despite the suspension of adenoviral vector-based vaccines by numerous countries, including Canada, United States, and multiple European nations [4][5][6], as of September 2022, ChAdOx1-S and Ad26.COV2.S remain in active use as primary immunization options for adults in a considerable number of countries around the world [7]. This ongoing administration involves nine countries in Latin America, eight in Africa and the Middle East, and five in Asia [7].…”

“…Despite the suspension of adenoviral vector-based vaccines by numerous countries, including Canada, United States, and multiple European nations [4][5][6], as of September 2022, ChAdOx1-S and Ad26.COV2.S remain in active use as primary immunization options for adults in a considerable number of countries around the world [7]. This ongoing administration involves nine countries in Latin America, eight in Africa and the Middle East, and five in Asia [7].…”

Retrospective Analysis of Clinical Characteristics and Disease Outcomes in Children and Adolescents Hospitalized Due to COVID-19 Infection in Tunisia

“…Even though mRNA and inactivated virus vaccinations have been approved for pediatric patients, only mRNA vaccines are recommended for children in the majority of the African countries. According to the various published reports, the vaccination coverage for children was negligible in Africa [11]. Furthermore, the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) reached a consensus regarding the primary series for COVID-19 vaccinations.…”

COVID-19 Vaccination and Lethality Reduction: A Prospective Cohort Study in Venezuela

“…A study conducted in China involving the Delta variant demonstrated effective protection following two doses of inactivated virus vaccines such as BBIBP-CorV and CoronaVac, while partial vaccination offered no signi cant protection[75]. Another multicenter case-control study carried out in South American countries such as Argentina, Colombia, Chile, and Brazil, evaluated the e cacy of the CoronaVac, BBIBP-CorV, and Gam-COVID-Vac vaccines (among others) by age and by the predominant circulating variant of SARS-CoV-2, demonstrating that vaccines prevented hospitalizations and deaths even among the oldest population[76,77]. In a multicenter United States study, progression to High oxygen saturation, a valuable metric for classifying disease severity, was associated with lower lethality rates in both groups under study.…”