Journal of Korean medical science
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Jun 2024
Vaccine Effectiveness Against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Reinfection by Type and Frequency of Vaccine: A Community-Based Case-Control Study.
Although guidelines recommend vaccination for individuals who have recovered from the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection to prevent reinfection, comprehensive evaluation studies are limited. We aimed to evaluate vaccine effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 reinfection according to the primary vaccination status, booster vaccination status, and vaccination methods used. ⋯ In SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals, completion of the basic vaccination series showed significant protection against reinfection compared with no vaccination. If the first or second booster vaccination was received, the protective effect against reinfection was higher than that of basic vaccination; when vaccinated with BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 only or heterologous vaccination, the protective effect was higher than that of ChAdOx1-S or Ad26.COV2.S vaccination only.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Jun 2024
The Impact of an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program on Days of Therapy in the Pediatric Center: An Interrupted Time-Series Analysis of a 19-Year Study.
We aimed to analyze the effects of an antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) on the proportion of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens in bacteremia, antimicrobial use, and mortality in pediatric patients. ⋯ The introduction of ASP for pediatric patients reduced the delta slope of the total antimicrobial use without increasing the mortality rate despite an increased incidence of ESBL-producing gram-negative bacteremia.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Jun 2024
ReviewLessons From the Household Humidifier Disinfectant Tragedy (HHDT) With Focus on the Chemical Poisoning Surveillance System: Review and Recommendation.
Lessons learned from the Household Humidifier Disinfectant Tragedy (HHDT) in Korea, which poisoned thousands of citizens over a period of years, necessitated an examination of national poison prevention and surveillance systems. The objectives of this study are to identify essential changes needed in chemical poisoning prevention regulations and surveillance systems for effective poison control by comparing recent trends in international poison control center (PCC) operations, and to delineate the critical elements for establishing a state-of-the-art poison control surveillance system in Korea based on recent advances in PCCs with toxicovigilance. ⋯ A rationale and framework for a state-of-the-art national Korean PCC with toxicovigilance is justified and offered. This proposed system could assist neighboring countries in establishing their own sophisticated, globally integrated PCC networks.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Jun 2024
Expert Consensus on the Structure, Role, and Procedures of the Korea Expert Committee on Immunization Practices.
The Korea Expert Committee on Immunization Practices (KECIP) is a key advisory body the government to develop guidelines and provide technical advisory activities on immunization policies in Korea. A recent policy study, inspired by global best practices, aims to enhance KECIP's functionality for providing timely and transparent recommendations in the face of evolving vaccine science and emerging infectious diseases like COVID-19. ⋯ This study underscores the pivotal role of KECIP in shaping national immunization policies, emphasizing the necessity for informed guidance amidst evolving vaccine science and emerging infectious diseases. Furthermore, it stressed the importance of enhancing KECIP's capacity to effectively address evolving public health challenges and maintain successful immunization programs in South Korea.