Determining what is keeping people from being vaccinated against COVID-19, and how to communicate more persuasively to encourage more people to get vaccinated, is essential to getting the pandemic under control. This is true among all groups of people. InRead More
This brief from Nature discusses mass vaccinations and its effects on the spread of COVID-19 in children. Data from the small town of Serrana in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo indicate that adult vaccinations are a protective factor againstRead More
Basic Reproduction Number (R0) The authors of this article discuss the meaning and misinterpretation of the basic reproduction number (R0) which is a mathematical term that indicates the contagiousness of an infectious disease by identifying the number of secondary cases. OftenRead More
Because large percentages of people avoid vaccination because of hesitancy, studies are trying to better understand vaccine intention so that communities can reach herd immunity. This is not just a local concern but a global problem. In this analysis ofRead More
Artificial Intelligence The authors of this study provide a comprehensive analysis of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) approaches in relation to the public health and the current pandemic. Various applications of AI are used which involve big data. Read More
Health professionals around the world are encouraging people to get vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine once available and eligible. However, communities are faced with increased rates of vaccine hesitancy, which may deter goals to get a certain percentage of theRead More
This week’s review focuses on the strategies, channels, and messengers to use for effective COVID-19 prevention messages. This study found that the channel from which people get their information about COVID-19 and vaccinations likely influences their level of vaccine hesitancy.Read More
Vaccine Effectiveness This observational study evaluates the effectiveness of BNT162b2 (Pfizer vaccine) among health care workers in an area with a high rate of the B.1.1.7 variant in Northern Italy during the time period of January 25, 2021 through April 13,Read More
With the growing amount of misinformation on social media related to COVID-19 (see, for example, this study of COVID-19 vaccine information on Parler), many platforms have begun censoring content. However, this approach may actually backfire, according to a recent commentary.Read More
This week’s review focuses on understanding vaccine hesitancy, particularly addressing who is likely to be hesitant, where they get information, and what can be done to overcome hesitancy. Although vaccine hesitancy is seen in all groups of people, this nationalRead More