On the association between COVID-19 vaccination levels and incidence and lethality rates at a regional scale in Spain

Abstract

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has led to the deepest global health and economic crisis of the current century. This dramatic situation has forced the public health authorities and pharmaceutical companies to develop anti-COVID-19 vaccines in record time. Currently, almost 80% of the population are vaccinated with the required number of doses in Spain. Thus, in this paper, COVID-19 incidence and lethality rates are analyzed through a segmented spatio-temporal regression model that allows studying if there is an association between a certain vaccination level and a change (in mean) in either the incidence or the lethality rates. Spatial dependency is included by considering the Besag–York–Mollié model, whereas natural cubic splines are used for capturing the temporal structure of the data. Lagged effects between the exposure and the outcome are also taken into account. The results suggest that COVID-19 vaccination has not allowed yet (as of September 2021) to observe a consistent reduction in incidence levels at a regional scale in Spain. In contrast, the lethality rates have displayed a declining tendency which has associated with vaccination levels above 50%.

Exploring the risk factors of COVID‐19 Delta variant in the United States based on Bayesian spatio‐temporal analysis

“…It is worth noting that although the demographics and socioeconomic factors are measured at baseline, their effects on the disease risk are not constant over the follow‐up time, which is similar to the results of Carroll et al. ( 2020 ) and Briz‐Redón and Serrano‐Aroca ( 2022 ). This is because the spread of Delta variant is quite rapid, and due to the pressure of reopening, the prevention measures adopted by state governments are constantly changing, such as the magnitude of mandated lockdowns and vaccine promotion.…”

“…In particular, vaccination coverage shows gradually increasing negative associations in the selected states. According to the study of Briz‐Redón and Serrano‐Aroca ( 2022 ), the social immunity effect is significant only when the vaccination coverage reaches a certain level. Therefore, in the states with low coverage rate, vaccination only provides relatively low protection efficacy, while in other states, with the continuous improvement of vaccination coverage, the protection mechanism for susceptible people is gradually enhanced.…”

A Comprehensive Account of SARS-CoV-2 Genome structure, Incurred mutations, Lineages and COVID-19 Vaccination Program

“…Governments all over the world have taken strict measures to contain the transmission of the virus by imposing travel restrictions, recommending social distancing, compulsory wearing of masks and suspending educational and economic activities [ 1 , 2 ]. The scientific community around the globe, on the other hand, has shown commendable tenacity and has risen to this unprecedented situation to make some remarkable achievements in the form of developing diagnostics, therapeutic procedures and vaccines [ 3 , 4 ]. Nations worldwide have aimed to achieve exigent and safe herd immunity in human populations, to beat this monstrous pandemic as soon as possible.…”

Layer-by-Layer Assembly of a Polysaccharide “Armor” on the Cell Surface Enabling the Prophylaxis of Virus Infection

“…However, it takes quite a long time from laboratory to patients and often lags behind the pandemics. Despite some specific antiviral drugs and vaccines against COVID-19 that have been used in clinics, which have suppressed the severity of the cases, the spreading of SARS-CoV-2 has not been stamped out at present. , In addition, the maldistribution of drugs and vaccines among countries, asymptomatic carriers, and mutations of the virus complicates the control of the epidemic . Thus, it is more important to protect individuals from virus infection.…”