Articles: pandemics.
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Multiple instances of flight-associated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission during long-haul flights have been reported during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, comprehensive investigations of passenger risk behaviours, before, during and after the flight, are scarce. ⋯ This investigation identified substantial in-flight transmission among passengers seated both within and beyond two rows of the primary cases. Infection of passengers in separate cabin classes also suggests transmission occurred outside the cabin environment, likely at the arrival airport. Recognizing that transmission may occur pre- and post-boarding may inform contact tracing advice and improve efforts to prevent future travel-associated outbreaks.
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The emergence of new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 variants, along with the waning of vaccine-induced immunity, has increased breakthrough infections and urged booster jabs and debates. In the short term, the administration of booster doses has been reported to be safe and enhance severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-specific neutralizing antibody levels. However, the effects of these doses on the pandemic trajectory and herd immunity are unclear. There is insufficient evidence that a third booster shot of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine maintains longer immunity and covers new viral variants. The lack of sufficient evidence, combined with the fact that millions of people have not yet received 1 or 2 jabs of the COVID-19 vaccine, has raised concerns regarding the call for booster vaccinations. ⋯ Initially, the need for a booster dose was equivocal; however, several studies demonstrated the benefit of the booster dose over time. Adequate scientific information is required regarding the administration of booster doses to the general population as well as the high-risk individuals.