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Open AccessEditorial

Preface: The 1st International Electronic Conference on Vaccines—RNA Vaccines, Current Challenges and Future Developments

by François Meurens and Fanny Renois

Med. Sci. Forum 2024, 26(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/msf2024026005 - 08 Apr 2024

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Abstract

The 1st International Electronic Conference on Vaccines: RNA Vaccines, Current Challenges and Future Developments (IECV 2023), was held on 1–15 December 2023 [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Proceedings of The 1st International Electronic Conference on Vaccines)

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253 KiB

Open AccessProceeding Paper

Challenges Faced by States and the WHO in Efficiently Regulating the Use of mRNA Vaccines

by Rabaï Bouderhem

Med. Sci. Forum 2024, 26(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/IECV2023-16530 - 01 Dec 2023

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Abstract

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is no formal regulatory guidance specifically for mRNA-based vaccines. However, the WHO provides information and regulatory considerations regarding key aspects of the manufacture and quality control, and nonclinical and clinical evaluation, of preventive mRNA vaccines [...] Read more.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is no formal regulatory guidance specifically for mRNA-based vaccines. However, the WHO provides information and regulatory considerations regarding key aspects of the manufacture and quality control, and nonclinical and clinical evaluation, of preventive mRNA vaccines against infectious disease for human use. The global research and development of mRNA vaccines have been prodigious over the past decade, and the work in this field has been stimulated by the urgent need for rapid development of vaccines in response to an emergent disease such as the current COVID-19 pandemic. In the European Union (EU), no regulatory guidelines presently exist that specifically address mRNA-based vaccines. The existing regulatory framework, however, clearly defines that mRNA-based vaccines in most cases have to be centrally approved. In the UK, both mRNA vaccines were granted temporary regulatory authorization under Regulation 174 of the Human Medicine Regulations 2012. The potential of mRNA vaccine as a technology to rapidly respond to public health emergencies of infectious diseases, in addition to application for prophylactic vaccines for additional infectious diseases, have underscored the need for international regulatory convergence for mRNA vaccines. The challenges faced by states in the use of mRNA vaccines include not only regulatory gaps but also technical issues such as the need for cold storage and transportation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Proceedings of The 1st International Electronic Conference on Vaccines)

572 KiB

Open AccessProceeding Paper

Perception, Attitude and Intention towards COVID-19 Vaccination

by Aarti Chahal, Rosy Dhall, Jyotika Kundu and Nidhi Kataria

Med. Sci. Forum 2024, 26(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/IECV2023-16527 - 01 Dec 2023

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Abstract

To overcome the situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccination became essential. So, it is important to understand the overall perception, attitude, and intention of the general population towards vaccination. This study aimed to investigate the combined effect of usefulness and trust on [...] Read more.

To overcome the situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccination became essential. So, it is important to understand the overall perception, attitude, and intention of the general population towards vaccination. This study aimed to investigate the combined effect of usefulness and trust on the attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination and to understand the perceptions of vaccinated and unvaccinated people towards vaccination. The self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. In the descriptive research design, Structural Equation Modeling was used to test the combined effect of usefulness and trust on attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination and one-way ANOVA was used to test the difference in perceptions of vaccinated and unvaccinated people. Simple random sampling was used in this study. The questionnaire-based data were collected from 400 respondents in Haryana from 24 April 2021 to 13 May 2021. The results showed that more than 70% of the respondents were not vaccinated, around 16% received their one dose of a vaccine, and less than 15% received two doses of a vaccine. Usefulness and trust had an impact on the attitude towards vaccination. There was significant difference between those who did not receive any doses of a vaccine, i.e., either Covishield (viral vector vaccine) or Covaxin (inactivated viral vaccine), and those who received two doses of a vaccine. The results reveal that attitude is strengthened by a positive relationship between trust and usefulness. Even though there were a large number of people who were not vaccinated at the time of the survey, these people had a positive perception of the vaccine. Hence, they were most likely to get vaccinated in the future. It was also found that the vaccine history of the respondents played an important role in future vaccination intention. Awareness programs are important as people need to be well informed about the benefits of vaccination. Full article

(This article belongs to the Proceedings of The 1st International Electronic Conference on Vaccines)

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252 KiB

Open AccessProceeding Paper

Factors Driving the Attitudes and Hesitancy of Albanian Parents toward COVID-19 Vaccination of Children

by Irsida Mehmeti and Emiljan Karma

Med. Sci. Forum 2024, 26(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/IECV2023-16531 - 01 Dec 2023

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Abstract

In June 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the use of Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccines for children aged 6 months–4 years in the United States. Vaccine hesitancy is context-, time-, place-, and vaccine-specific. This study aims to analyze the [...] Read more.

In June 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the use of Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccines for children aged 6 months–4 years in the United States. Vaccine hesitancy is context-, time-, place-, and vaccine-specific. This study aims to analyze the different factors influencing the perceptions and attitudes of Albanian parents toward COVID-19 vaccination of children. The anti-COVID-19 vaccine remains unapproved for children younger than 12 in Albania. A validated questionnaire composed of 33 elements was used for the purpose of this study. A total of 600 parents/caregivers responded to the questionnaire. The negative perceptions toward vaccination of their child were linked to mild forms of the disease faced by their children and fear of adverse events. Full article

(This article belongs to the Proceedings of The 1st International Electronic Conference on Vaccines)

894 KiB

Open AccessProceeding Paper

Impact of COVID-19 on Influenza Virus Vaccination Coverage

by Otávio Reis, Bruno Fernandes, Luara Santos and Paula Távora

Med. Sci. Forum 2024, 26(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/IECV2023-16529 - 01 Dec 2023

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Abstract

Influenza vaccination is pivotal in alleviating healthcare burdens and possibly curbing COVID-19 infections due to symptom overlap. Despite previous suboptimal vaccination rates, the exceptional circumstances of the pandemic may have impacted influenza vaccine coverage in 2020 and 2021. This quantitative analytical study of [...] Read more.

Influenza vaccination is pivotal in alleviating healthcare burdens and possibly curbing COVID-19 infections due to symptom overlap. Despite previous suboptimal vaccination rates, the exceptional circumstances of the pandemic may have impacted influenza vaccine coverage in 2020 and 2021. This quantitative analytical study of a cross-sectional nature examines influenza vaccination adherence from 2019 to 2021 at a private vaccination clinic in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, while considering demographic variables. Socioeducational measures and government vaccination incentives seem to have played a significant role in this increase. Nonetheless, the substantial surge observed between 2019 and 2020 is likely linked to the population’s heightened COVID-19-related apprehensions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Proceedings of The 1st International Electronic Conference on Vaccines)

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