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Background Estimating real-world vaccine effectiveness is challenging as a variety of population factors can impact vaccine effectiveness. We aimed to assess the population-level reduction in cumulative severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) cases, hospitalizations, and mortality due to the BNT162b2 mRNA coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination campaign in Israel during January–February 2021. Methods A susceptible-infected-recovered/removed (SIR) model and a Dynamic Survival Analysis (DSA) statistical approach were used. Daily counts of individuals who tested positive and of vaccine doses administered, obtained from the Israeli Ministry of Health, were used to calibrate the model. The model was parameterized using values derived from a previous phase of the pandemic during which similar lockdown and other preventive measures were implemented in order to take into account the effect of these prevention measures on COVID-19 spread. Results Our model predicted for the total population a reduction of 648 585 SARS-CoV-2 cases (75% confidence interval [CI], 25 877–1 396 963) during the first 2 months of the vaccination campaign. The number of averted hospitalizations for moderate to severe conditions was 16 101 (75% CI, 2010–33 035), and reduction of death was estimated at 5123 (75% CI, 388–10 815) fatalities. Among children aged 0–19 years, we estimated a reduction of 163 436 (75% CI, 0–433 233) SARS-CoV-2 cases, which we consider to be an indirect effect of the vaccine. Conclusions Our results suggest that the rapid vaccination campaign prevented hundreds of thousands of new cases as well as thousands of hospitalizations and fatalities and has probably averted a major health care crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relative increase in coronavirus disease incidence during summer 2020 in Israel was most prominent in young children. This finding contrasts with the lower increase in incidence observed in children than in adults during the school attendance period. School closure without lockdown conditions might not be independently effective at reducing spread. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Benefits of school reopening must be weighed against the morbidity and mortality risks and the impact of enhancing spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We investigated the effects of school reopening and easing of social-distancing restrictions on dynamics of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections in Israel between March and July 2020. Methods We examined the nationwide age-wise weekly incidence, prevalence, SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction tests, their positivity, COVID-19 hospitalizations, and associated mortality. Temporal differences in these parameters following school reopening, school ending, and following easing of restrictions such as permission of large-scale gatherings were examined. Results Incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections gradually increased following school reopening in all age groups, with a significantly higher increase in adults than children. Higher rate ratios (RRs) of sample positivity rates 21–27 days following school reopening relative to positivity rates prior to openings were found for the age groups 40–59 (RR, 4.72; 95% CI, 3.26–6.83) and 20–39 (RR, 3.37 [2.51–4.53]) years, but not for children aged 0–9 (RR, 1.46 [.85–2.51]) and 10–19 (RR,.93 [.65–1.34]) years. No increase was observed in COVID-19–associated hospitalizations and deaths following school reopening. In contrast, permission of large-scale gatherings was accompanied by increases in incidence and positivity rates of samples for all age groups, and increased hospitalizations and mortality. Conclusions This analysis does not support a major role of school reopening in the resurgence of COVID-19 in Israel. Easing restrictions on large-scale gatherings was the major influence on this resurgence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamics of intrafamilial spread of SARS-CoV-2 during January-February 2021 when variant B.1.1.7 predominated were compared with data from April to May 2020, when other circulating variants prevailed. Much higher intrafamilial transmission rates among all age groups, in particular in young children, and lower rates of sensory impairment were demonstrated during January-February 2021., Competing Interests: E.A.F.S. reports grants, personal fees, and nonfinancial support from Astra Zeneca, Inc; Merck & Co.; Regeneron, Inc; Pfizer Inc; personal fees, nonfinancial support, and other from Abbvie, Inc; personal fees from Alere, Inc; grants, personal fees, and nonfinancial support from Roche, Inc; other from GSK, Inc; grants from Johnson and Johnson; grants and nonfinancial support from Novavax Inc, outside the submitted work. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: We aimed to define the excess morbidity associated with bloodstream infections (BSIs), imposed by pandemic H1N1 influenza during 2009-2010 (pH1N1/2009-2010) and seasonal influenza., Methods: Eight hospitals, accounting for 33% of hospitalizations in Israel, provided data on BSI during 2006-2010. The age-specific incidence of BSI due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pyogenes was determined. BSI incidence rate ratios (IRRs) during seasonal and pH1N1 influenza seasons were assessed., Results: Regular influenza seasons were characterized by increased rates of S. pneumoniae BSI but with no increase in S. aureus and S. pyogenes BSI rates. The pH1N1/2009-2010 influenza outbreak was characterized by (1) higher rates of S. pneumoniae bacteremia among children but not among adults (IRRs for S. pneumoniae BSI among children aged 0-4 years during the summer and winter of 2009-2010 were 14.8 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 5-43.7] and 6.5 [95% CI, 3.6-11.8], compared with 2006-2009 summers and influenza-active winter weeks, respectively [P < .0001]), higher rates of S. aureus BSI in all age groups (IRRs during the summer and winter of 2009-2010 were 1.6 [95% CI, 1.4-1.9] and 1.5 [95% CI, 1.2-1.7], compared with 2006-2009 summers and influenza-active weeks, respectively [P < .0001]), higher rates of S. pyogenes BSI during 2009-2010 influenza season (IRR 2.7 [95% CI, 1.6-4.6] and 3.3 [95% CI, 1.9-5.8] during the summer and winter of 2009-2010, compared with 2006-2009 summers and influenza-active weeks, respectively [P < .0001])., Conclusions: pH1N1 influenza seasons were characterized by marked increases in invasive S. aureus and S. pyogenes infections among children and adults, with the highest increase in S. pneumoniae BSI among children.