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Vaccine hesitancy is a public health challenge. Here the authors examine COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in June 2021 using a survey including individuals from 23 countries, and report differences compared to a year earlier.

Abstract Background Honeybees are one of the most important pollinators in the world, and their products are nowadays included in most anticancer, antiallergic, antimicrobial drugs and are included in cosmetic treatments. In the present study, honeybee venom and Egyptian ethanolic propolis extract (EP) were focused to test their effect on health and some genes for honeybee workers (defensin2, abaecin, hymenoptaecin, vitellogenin, and juvenile hormone esterase). Results Honeybee venom and Egyptian propolis extract (EP) were used as supplements in the nutrition with different concentrations in Varroa mites-infected colonies to measure the colonies' activities after treatment. The immune-related genes and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) were evaluated by using qRT-PCR. Treated colonies with HBV and EP showed up-regulation of immune and immune-related genes' expressions and increased the life span, activities and their density of bee workers. The data illustrated that the highest gene expression fold of juvenile hormone esterase was detected in the treated colonies with Egyptian ethanolic propolis extract (EP), while the highest vitellogenin expression fold in treated colonies was with honeybee venom. The up-regulation of antimicrobial peptides occurred in colonies with both treatments. Conclusion The findings suggest that honeybee venom and Egyptian ethanolic propolis extract (EP) could be used as potential supplements, even at the lowest concentration to develop the immunity of worker bees to increase their efficiency and prevent loss of honeybee colonies due to several diseases closely associated with Varroa mites' infections that cause sudden death.

Background and Aim: Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae have become a serious public health hazard worldwide. This importance is derived from the increase of new variants, particularly blaTEM, blaSHV, and blaCTX-M genes. This study aimed to examine ESBL-producing Escherichia coli isolated from different governorates in Egypt from dairy cows infected with subclinical and clinical mastitis. Materials and Methods: This study examined 207 milk samples for the resistance of isolates against 14 different antibiotics and ran serological identification of ESBL-producing E. coli isolates with complete antibiotic resistance. Genotypic and sequencing analyses of several resistance genes were conducted using a polymerase chain reaction. Results: E. coli was identified in cases with subclinical mastitis (80.5%) and clinical mastitis (85.7%). ESBL-producing E. coli was isolated from 38.2% of subclinical mastitic milk compared to 39.3% in clinical cases, where O26:k60, O125:k70, and O25:k11 were the serotypes with complete resistance to antibiotics. ESBL-producing E. coli isolates were resistant to cefotaxime, amoxicillin, cloxacillin, oxacillin, rifampicin, and penicillin in 100% but susceptible to amoxicillin and clavulanic acid in 82.5% of the cases. Results also revealed that 51.25%, 52.5%, 66.25%, 77.5% and 60% of ESBL-producing E. coli isolates were responsive to ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, norfloxacin, levofloxacin, and gentamycin, respectively. The detected genes were registered in GenBank as MW345819.1 and MW345820.1 for the E. coli blaTEM gene and MW295407 for the E. coli blaSHV gene. Conclusion: This study found ESBL-producing E. coli in mastitic milk samples from Egyptian dairy farms and confirmed the occurrence and circulation of the main antibiotic genes (blaTEM and blaSHV) in the samples. Regular and thorough surveillance of ESBL-producing E. coli and subsequent preventive actions are essential for preventing the spread of these resistance genes in the future, which could pose serious and catastrophic health risks. Authorities should cling to the concept of One Health to minimize the risk of new varieties.

Abstract This study assesses attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination and the predictive value of COVID-VAC, a novel scale, among adults in the four largest US metropolitan areas and nationally. A 36-item survey of 6037 Americans was conducted in mid-April 2021. The study reports factors for COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among: (1) already vaccinated; (2) unvaccinated but willing to accept a vaccine; and (3) unvaccinated and unwilling to vaccinate. More than 20% were unwilling to vaccinate, expressing concerns about vaccine efficacy and safety and questioning the disease’s severity. Poverty, working outside of the home and conservative political views are predictors of unwillingness. Conversely, those who either personally tested positive for COVID-19, or had a family member who did so, were more likely to accept vaccination. Majorities of all respondents supported vaccination mandates for employees and university students. Respondents preferred to receive vaccines in their doctor´s office. Lower income and conservative ideology, but not race, were strongly associated with vaccine unwillingness. The predictive value of COVID-VAC was demonstrated. While vaccination mandates are likely to be accepted, additional effective, targeted interventions to increase vaccine uptake are needed urgently.

The present study aims to assess the changes of different land use/land cover classes for Nile Delta of Egypt during the period from 1987 to 2015, to evaluate the impact of land cover change and urban sprawl, before, during and after the 25th of January 2011 using remote sensing and GIS techniques, as a result to unplanned urban sprawl which was done by people during the lack of general security of Egyptian revolution. The results indicated that there was a regular trend characterized in most classes and that the change in different land use/land cover classes ranged between increase and decrease areas. A continuous increase in agricultural, urban, fish farms and natural vegetation areas and a continuous decrease in water bodies and sand areas were detected in the studied area. The agricultural area recorded the highest increase during the period from 1987 to 2000 (305296.1 ha.) while it increased by 170578.1 ha., during the period from 2000 to 2015. However, in urban area, the highest increase was recorded during the period from 2000 to 2015 followed by the period 1987–2000 with mean values of 97940.8 and 53112.6 ha., respectively. The analysis of the results showed that most of Egyptian Delta governorates have been significantly affected by the different classes of land use/land cover change due to agriculture activities, urban growth as a result of human activities dynamic impact. Keywords: Land use/land cover, Change detection, Nile Delta governorates, Remote sensing

Community-based organizations (CBOs) are experiencing some of the highest demand in years for a wide spectrum of health and social services. Their client-facing employees have taken on a new, challenging role as a sought-after source of COVID-19 vaccine information and guidance. These workforces operating on the frontlines, do their best to meet the increased need for services and information, often without additional resources or training to do so. The most effective immediate response to this challenge is a comprehensive communication support system working in tandem with CBOs. Our three organizations, the New York Vaccine Literacy Campaign at the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, Hunger Free NYC, and Health Leads, have collaborated in key short-term approaches to meet these needs. We outline these processes and anticipated outcomes and offer lessons learned to advocate for long-term structural changes needed to increase community-level communication support.

Summary: There is increasing evidence that elimination strategies have resulted in better outcomes for public health, the economy, and civil liberties than have mitigation strategies throughout the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. With vaccines that offer high protection against severe forms of COVID-19, and increasing vaccination coverage, policy makers have had to reassess the trade-offs between different options. The desirability and feasibility of eliminating SARS-CoV-2 compared with other strategies should also be re-evaluated from the perspective of different fields, including epidemiology, public health, and economics. To end the pandemic as soon as possible—be it through elimination or reaching an acceptable endemic level—several key topics have emerged centring around coordination, both locally and internationally, and vaccine distribution. Without coordination it is difficult if not impossible to sustain elimination, which is particularly relevant in highly connected regions, such as Europe. Regarding vaccination, concerns remain with respect to equitable distribution, and the risk of the emergence of new variants of concern. Looking forward, it is crucial to overcome the dichotomy between elimination and mitigation, and to jointly define a long-term objective that can accommodate different political and societal realities.

The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic left the Indian healthcare system overwhelmed. The severity of a third wave will depend on the success of the vaccination drive; however, even with a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine, hesitancy can be an obstacle to achieving high levels of coverage. Our study aims to estimate the population's acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine in an Indian district. A pilot community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March-May 2021. The data was collected from eight primary health centres in Tamil Nadu. The eligible study participants were interviewed using a self-constructed questionnaire. A total of 3,130 individuals responded to the survey. Multinomial logistic regression was performed to assess the factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and refusal. Results of our study showed that 46% percent (n = 1432) of the respondents would accept the COVID-19 vaccine if available. Acceptance for the COVID-19 vaccine was higher among males (54%), individuals aged 18-24years (62%), those with higher education (77%), having the higher income (73%), and employed (51%). Individuals with no education (OR: 2.799, 95% CI = 1.103-7.108), and low income (OR: OR: 10.299, 95% CI: 4.879-21.741), were significant predictors of vaccine hesitancy (p < 0.05). Living in urban residence (OR: 0.699, 95% CI = 0.55-0.888) and age between 18 to 25 years (OR: 0.549, 95% CI = 0.309-0.977) were protective factor of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. While individuals in the age group 25-54years (OR = 1.601, 95%CI = 1.086-2.359), fewer education (OR = 4.8, 95% CI = 2.448-9.412,), low income (OR = 2.628, 95% CI = 1.777-3.887) and unemployment (OR = 1.351, 95% CI = 1.06-1.722) had high odds of refusing the COVID-19 vaccine. Concerns and suspicions about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine (63%) was the major reasons causing hesitancy towards the COVID-19 vaccine The public health authorities and government need to design, develop and implement targeted interventions to enhance awareness about COVID-19 vaccines, and barriers and enablers to vaccine acceptance among individuals across diverse settings. Emphasis on involving local and religious leaders, ASHA workers, community healthcare workers, Anganwadi workers, and auxiliary nurse midwives can help to overcome context-specific barriers in areas of low COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, especially in rural settings.

Many actors in the response to COVID-19 are holding out for a vaccine to be developed. But in the meantime, tried and tested public-health measures for controlling outbreaks can be implemented. A scorecard can be used to assess governments' responses to the outbreak., Author(s): Jeffrey V. Lazarus [sup.1] , Agnes Binagwaho [sup.2] , Ayman A. E. El-Mohandes [sup.3] , Jonathan E. Fielding [sup.4] , Heidi J. Larson [sup.5] , Antoni Plasència [sup.1] , [...]

COVID-19 vaccine is regarded as the most promising means of limiting the spread of or eliminating the pandemic. The success of this strategy will rely on the rate of vaccine acceptance globally. The study aims to examine the factors that influence COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, intention, and hesitancy. PubMed was searched comprehensively for articles using the keyword “COVID-19 vaccine surveys.” Of the 192 records, 22 studies were eligible for the review. Eighty-two percent of these studies were conducted among the general population. Gender, age, education, and occupation were some of the socio-demographic variables associated with vaccine acceptance. Variables such as trust in authorities, risk perception of COVID-19 infection, vaccine efficacy, current or previous influenza vaccination, and vaccine safety affected vaccine acceptance. Globally, in March 2020, the average vaccine acceptance observed was 86% which dropped to 54% in July 2020 which later increased to 72% in September 2020. Globally, the average rate of vaccine hesitancy in April 2020 was 21%, which increased to 36% in July 2020 and later declined to 16% in October 2020. Large variability in vaccine acceptance and high vaccine hesitancy can influence the efforts to eliminate the COVID-19. Addressing the barriers and facilitators of vaccines will be crucial in implementing effective and tailored interventions to attain maximum vaccine coverage.

Objective We assessed the impact of key population variables (age, gender, income and education) on perceptions of governmental effectiveness in communicating about COVID-19, helping meet needs for food and shelter, providing physical and mental healthcare services, and allocating dedicated resources to vulnerable populations.Design Cross-sectional study carried out in June 2020.Participants and setting 13 426 individuals from 19 countries.Results More than 60% of all respondents felt their government had communicated adequately during the pandemic. National variances ranged from 83.4% in China down to 37.2% in Brazil, but overall, males and those with a higher income were more likely to rate government communications highly. Almost half (48.8%) of the respondents felt their government had ensured adequate access to physical health services (ranging from 89.3% for Singapore to 27.2% for Poland), with higher ratings reported by younger and higher-income respondents. Ratings of mental health support were lower overall (32.9%, ranging from 74.8% in China to around 15% in Brazil and Sweden), but highest among younger respondents. Providing support for basic necessities of food and housing was rated highest overall in China (79%) and lowest in Ecuador (14.6%), with higher ratings reported by younger, higher-income and better-educated respondents across all countries. The same three demographic groups tended to rate their country’s support to vulnerable groups more highly than other respondents, with national scores ranging from around 75% (Singapore and China) to 19.5% (Sweden). Subgroup findings are mostly independent of intercountry variations with 15% of variation being due to intercountry differences.Conclusions The tendency of younger, better-paid and better-educated respondents to rate their country’s response to the pandemic more highly, suggests that government responses must be nuanced and pay greater attention to the needs of less-advantaged citizens as they continue to address this pandemic.