Self-reported vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 and adverse events in multiple cohorts

Abstract   In two studies (“App-based infection assessment in RESIST (iAR)” and “Digital infection monitoring in persons living with immunodeficiency (DIMI)” ), we monitor health related items, as vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 and conduct syndromic surveillance of acute respiratory infections in high-risk populations, i.e. elderly persons and persons living with HIV, respectively. In a third very similar study (“Sensors for measuring aerosols and reactive gases to deduce health effects (SMARAGD)”) mainly healthy adults participate. To record incident or recurring transient health events, risk factors and further health data in real-time, we developed the eResearch system “PIA - Prospective Monitoring and Management App”. Recruitment for RESIST, SMARAGD and DIMI started in March 2021 and is ongoing. The questionnaire was presented in April 2022. Preliminary results include 86 participants from the three cohorts. In total, one indicated to be not vaccinated, none were vaccinated once, three (3.5%) twice, 63 (73.3%) three times and 19 (22.1%) four times. Participants reported the following adverse events after immunization (AEFI): after 40 applied doses with Vaxzevria® 24 AEFI (60%); after 158 doses of Comirnaty® 41 AEFI (26%); after 62 doses of Spikevax® 19 AEFI (30.7%); and after three doses of Janssen®, one AEFI (33.3%). In these cohorts, 20 (23.36%) participants stated having had a SARS-CoV-2 infection, of these 16 (80%) after the last vaccination dose, three (15%) before the first dose and one (5%) in between doses. Most participants were vaccinated three times, with Comirnaty being the most applied vaccine, as in officially reported numbers. AEFI varied according to vaccine and were higher than in the German surveillance system (1.64/1000 doses). Most infections were indicated to have been diagnosed after the booster vaccination. The results are limited by the small sample size and possible bias through self-reporting and social desirability regarding vaccination status. Key messages • Overall, most participants were vaccinated with Comirnaty and had three doses of vaccine. Of the participants with a diagnosed SARS-CoV-2-infection, most got infected after the booster vaccine. • The number of reported AEFI was higher than in the official surveillance in Germany.


Background:
Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (dTap) vaccination is heavily endorsed during pregnancy. However, maternal dTap immunization rates in Italy remain low. Lack of healthcare workers (HCWs) recommendation to get vaccinated represents one of the main barriers to immunization during pregnancy. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate what HCWs know about dTap vaccination, practices and potential barrier to recommending immunization during pregnancy.

Methods:
This cross-sectional study was conducted among obstetriciansgynaecologists (OBs), midwives and general practitioners (GPs) in 2 regions of Southern Italy. An anonymous selfadministered questionnaire was used to collect data on professional information, knowledge, risk perceptions and practices regarding dTap vaccination during pregnancy.

Results:
Until now 94 HCWs were recruited (36.2% OBs, 35.1% GPs and 28.7% midwives). Overall, 63.8% knew that dTap vaccination has to be administered during the third trimester of gestation and 94.7% that it is able to protect newborns against pertussis before active immunization. One-third of the HCWs believed that vaccines in pregnancy were more dangerous than safe. Seven out of ten HCWs routinely recommended dTap vaccine and provided information about dTap vaccination to all pregnant women. Most frequent reported reasons for not recommending dTap vaccination during pregnancy were that it was outside the scope of their practice (72.4%), that women are more vaccine hesitant during pregnancy (42.9%), lack of time (28.6%), lack of knowledge on the topic (28.6%) and the belief that the vaccine could interfere with the development of the fetus (14,3%).

Conclusions:
Lack of knowledge, unsatisfactory recommendation of dTap immunization during pregnancy and uncertainty over their responsibility around vaccination suggest that public health organisations should strengthen dissemination and implementation of evidence-based recommendations.

Key messages:
Barriers to recommending dTap immunization during pregnancy remain among healthcare workers. Strategies (e.g. electronic reminders) to facilitate HCWs in recommending and informing on dTap immunization should be implemented and evaluated to improve vaccination coverage in pregnant women.

Background:
The Elizabethkingia genus is formed by a group of bacteria which are widely distributed in nature. Elizabethkingia is not part of human microbiota, therefore is considered to be an opportunistic pathogen. In the last years, it has become a cause of potentially fatal disease, becoming an emerging bacteria of increasing relevance. The objective of this study is to describe the impact of Elizabethkingia bacteria in infected patients in the ICU of a hospital in Granada.

Conclusions:
Elizabethkingia miricola is an emerging bacterium under special vigilance due to its capacity to cause major morbidity and mortality in admitted patients in ICU. The rapid identification and the study of the antibiotic susceptibility is considered of special relevance so they can be correctly managed to avoid infections and complications resulting from this microorganism. Key messages: Elizabethkingia is a special surveillance bacterie due to its morbidity and mortality effects. Elizabethkingia could be a severity indicator in admitted patients to the ICU.
Abstract citation ID: ckac131.407 Vaccines for older adults; the low-hanging fruit of disease prevention