The Importance of Vaccination in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Brief Update Regarding the Use of Vaccines

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has led the world to undertake the largest vaccination campaign in human history. In record time, unprecedented scientific and governmental efforts have resulted in the acquisition of immunizers utilizing different technologies (nucleotide acids, viral vectors, inactivated and protein-based vaccines). Currently, 33 vaccines have already been approved by regulatory agencies in different countries, and more than 10 billion doses have been administered worldwide. Despite the undeniable impact of vaccination on the control of the pandemic, the recurrent emergence of new variants of interest has raised new challenges. The recent viral mutations precede new outbreaks that rapidly spread at global proportions. In addition, reducing protective efficacy rates have been observed among the main authorized vaccines. Besides these issues, several other crucial issues for the appropriate combatting of the pandemic remain uncertain or under investigation. Particularly noteworthy issues include the use of vaccine-boosting strategies to increase protection; concerns related to the long-term safety of vaccines, child immunization reliability and uncommon adverse events; the persistence of the virus in society; and the transition from a pandemic to an endemic state. In this review, we describe the updated scenario regarding SARS-CoV-2 variants and COVID-19 vaccines. In addition, we outline current discussions covering COVID-19 vaccine safety and efficacy, and the future pandemic perspectives.

COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dose Acceptance: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…On the other hand, a few high-income countries issued vaccine mandates in relation to COVID-19 booster dose vaccination with vaccine hoarding and low vaccine supply in other regions [ 101 ]. Prioritizing vaccine equity for the primary COVID-19 vaccination series should be considered to decrease the likelihood of SARS-CoV-2 variant emergence, which could be a major challenge to control the pandemic besides the issue of vaccination hesitancy [ 102 ].…”

Perceived Risks and Perceptions of Covid–19 Vaccination in Patients with Autoimmune Skin Diseases Attending a Tertiary Care Centre in South India – A Questionnaire Based Study

“…In our study the vaccine hesitancy was noted in 14(28%) of the study participants. Whereas in the study done by Gaur P et al [12] among 280 patients the vaccine hesitancy was noted in 46% of the study participants. Frangaulis et al [13] reported hesitancy in 21.39% of the study participants where the cause was fear of side effects and regarding the are up of the disease.…”

Monitoring algorithm of hospitalized patients in a medical center with SARS-CoV-2 (Omicron variant) infection: clinical epidemiological surveillance and immunological assessment

“…Unvaccinated patients, including those who had received only one dose of a two-dose primary series, developed more severe symptoms than those who were vaccinated with the full primary series. Other reports also demonstrated that unvaccinated individuals were at a higher risk of becoming infected and of COVID-19-associated death ( Johnson et al, 2022 ; Machado et al, 2022 ). This study thus further highlights the necessity of full vaccination and recommended booster doses to best protect against the Omicron variant pandemic.…”