Human vaccines & immunotherapeutics
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Hum Vaccin Immunother · Feb 2021
ReviewCOVID-19 - Important considerations for developing and using a vaccine.
The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 after emerging in China has caused a global pandemic that is risking the lives of millions. COVID-19 has spread across the world at a very rapid rate raising concerns of capacity limitations and lack of unified responses at the global level, particularly from the world's most developed countries. The spread of further infection has been curtailed by lockdown and mass social distancing that has been enforced in most parts of the world. ⋯ Extensive research is underway with some success in identification of monoclonal antibodies from COVID-19 recovered patients, which may inform on vaccine development. The clinical evaluations of COVID-19 vaccines need to follow standardized protocols that are essential for safeguarding humans. In absence of a vaccine or a widely available effective therapy, quarantine and other preventive measures are essential in curtailing the risk of pandemic spread.
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Hum Vaccin Immunother · Feb 2021
ReviewVaccines and routine immunization strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 related disease (COVID-19) is now responsible for one of the most challenging and concerning pandemics. By August 2020, there were almost 20 million confirmed cases worldwide and well over half-million deaths. Since there is still no effective treatment or vaccine, non-pharmaceutical interventions have been implemented in an attempt to contain the spread of the virus. ⋯ Numerous high-income as well as low- and middle-income countries are now experiencing a rapid decline in childhood immunization coverage rates. We will, inevitably, see serious consequences related to suboptimal control of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) in children concurrent with or following the pandemic. Routine pediatric immunizations of individual children at clinics, mass vaccination campaigns, and surveillance for VPDs must continue as much as possible during pandemic.
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Hum Vaccin Immunother · Feb 2021
LetterPreparatory phase for clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccine in Nepal.
Public health data suggested a rapid rise in COVID-19-confirmed cases in Nepal along with increased deaths. There has been a wide variation in clinical outcomes of this disease. Control of this pandemic depends on the availability of vaccines or drugs for SARS-CoV-2. Thus, viral and human genetics/genomics and immunology are necessary to understand whether these factors will affect clinical trials of vaccines in Nepal.
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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.
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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.