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Introduction: SARS‐CoV‐2 infection has had a significant impact on vulnerable individuals including transplant patients. Socioeconomic deprivation negatively affects outcomes of many health conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of socioeconomic deprivation on the incidence and severity of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection among Welsh transplant patients. Methods: This study is a retrospective, cross‐sectional study on the transplant population of Wales. The Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD) was used to assess the influence of socioeconomic deprivation on outcomes of Welsh transplant patients who developed SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Outcome measures were the incidence of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, rates of hospital and ICU admission, development of acute kidney injury (AKI) and mortality. A logistic binomial regression analysis was used to correlate the various risk factors with the incidence of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Results: Two hundred and sixty‐six (25%) of regular follow up patients had SARS‐CoV‐2 infection; of these 55 (20.7%) were admitted, 15 (5.6%) to ICU, 37 (13.9%) developed AKI, and 23 (8.6%) died. In a regression analysis, patients of younger age were associated with more (p =.001) and those with SPK (simultaneous pancreas kidney) transplant less chance of infection (p =.038), whereas social deprivation was not associated with the chance of infection (p =.14). In regression analysis increased social deprivation was associated with higher chance of AKI post SARS‐CoV‐2 (p =.049). Conclusions: Socioeconomic deprivation did not affect the rates or severity of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection apart from the degree of AKI in Welsh Transplant patients. Adherence to the preventive measures for this high‐risk population must continue to remain a priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaccines remain the cornerstone of medical prevention and are highly effective in reducing the risk of severe disease and death due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In the context of expanding the therapeutic armamentarium against COVID-19, molnupiravir (Lagevrio) and ritonavir-boosted nirmatrelvir (Paxlovid) were developed, constituting the first effective oral treatments against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In this narrative review, we retrospectively inquired into the clinical trials and real-world studies investigating the efficacy of these agents. Overall, clinical trials and real-world studies have demonstrated the efficacy of both agents in reducing hospitalization and death rates in COVID-19 patients. As per current recommendations, their use is suggested in patients with mild to moderate symptoms who are at high risk of developing severe disease. Nevertheless, limited data exist regarding their efficacy in specific subpopulations, such as immunocompromised patients, those with severe kidney disease, pregnant women, and children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]