Human vaccines & immunotherapeutics
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Hum Vaccin Immunother · Dec 2020
ReviewRecent advances in therapeutic modalities and vaccines to counter COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2.
The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has rapidly spread across the world. This resulted an alarming number of fatalities with millions of confirmed infected cases, pretending severe public health, economic, and social threats. There is no specific therapeutic drugs or licensed vaccines or treatments to fight against lethal COVID-19 infections. ⋯ Herein, we reviewed the therapeutic interventions and vaccines for COVID-19 based on the existing knowledge and understanding of similar coronaviruses, including MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV. The information constitutes a paramount intellectual basis to sustenance ongoing research for the discovery of vaccines and therapeutic agents. This review signifies the most available frontiers in the viral vaccine development approaches to counter the COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2.
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Hum Vaccin Immunother · Dec 2020
ReviewImpact of COVID-19 on women and children and the need for a gendered approach in vaccine development.
The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed unprecedented health and socioeconomic challenges on public health, disrupting it on a global scale. Given that women and children are widely considered the most vulnerable in the times of emergency, whether in war or during a pandemic, the current pandemic has also severely disrupted access to reproductive and child health services. ⋯ In this context, we suggest the implementation of a gendered approach to ensure the specific needs of women and their newborns are considered during the development of COVID-19 vaccines. Taking into account gender-based biological differences, the inclusion of pregnant and lactating mothers in clinical trials for the development of COVID-19 vaccines is of vital importance.
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Hum Vaccin Immunother · Dec 2020
ReviewSARS-CoV-2 reinfection and implications for vaccine development.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to constitute a public health emergency of international concern. Multiple vaccine candidates for COVID-19, which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), have entered clinical trials. ⋯ This finding is critical and could hamper COVID-19 vaccine development. This review offers literature-based evidence of reinfection with SARS-CoV-2, provides explanation for the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection both from the agent and host points of view, and discusses its implication for COVID-19 vaccine development.
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Hum Vaccin Immunother · Dec 2020
ReviewProspects for mucosal vaccine: shutting the door on SARS-CoV-2.
The sudden emergence of a highly transmissible and pathogenic coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 in December 2019 from China and its rapid global spread has posed an international health emergency. The rapid development of an effective vaccine is imperative to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2. ⋯ As evidenced by studies on similar coronaviruses (SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV), mucosal vaccination can provide a safe and effective means for the induction of long-lasting systemic and mucosal immunity to confer protection against SARS-CoV-2. This article summarizes the approaches to an effective mucosal vaccine formulation which can be a rewarding approach to combat the unprecedented threat posed by this emerging global pandemic.
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Hum Vaccin Immunother · Dec 2020
Vaccine mistrust among family healthcare professionals and vaccine hesitancy in the communities they serve in Turkey in 2019: a cross-sectional study.
This study aims to determine the causes of vaccine mistrust among family healthcare professionals (FHP) in the unit where they serve and vaccine hesitancy of families. ⋯ It was observed that FHPs had high sensitivity and positive attitudes toward vaccination in general.