• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.84 no.1
• /
• pp.13-21
• /
• 2021

Several clinical trials are being conducted worldwide to investigate the protective effect of the bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine against death in healthcare providers who are working directly with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Clinical studies suggested that certain live vaccines, particularly the BCG vaccine, could reduce the mortality due to other diseases caused by non-targeted pathogens, most probably through the nonspecific effects (heterologous effects). By the end of May 2020, the available information on the COVID-19 pandemic indicated the great effect of the BCG vaccine in reducing the number of COVID-19 death cases. The occurrence of death due to COVID-19 was found to be 21-fold lower in countries with a national BCG vaccination policy than in countries without such a policy, based on the medians of COVID-19 death case per 1 million of the population in these two groups of countries (p<0.001, Mann-Whitney test). Therefore, it can be concluded that the early establishment of a BCG vaccination policy in any country is a key element in reducing the number of COVID-19 and tuberculosis death cases.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.89-99
• /
• 2021

Objectives : This study aimed to assess youth perception of COVID-19 vaccination in one Korean Medicine college, to compare according to COVID-19 vaccination. Method : An on-line survey using Google Form was conducted on students enrolled in one Korean medical college. Results : A total of 74 students out of 260 individuals replied, with 43 males and 31 females, 68 (91.9%) were vaccinated (or vaccine reserved), six (8.1%) were not vaccinated. The response rate was 28.5%. All the unvaccinated were intended to receive vaccines in the future. The vaccinated were most concerned about the adverse events. The unvaccinated responded that COVID-19 vaccine was unnecessary, not effective, not safe, and do not recommend vaccination to others compared to the vaccinated. Conclusion : In order to improve the COVID-19 vaccination rate, clear information on the risk of COVID-19 infection and the effects of vaccines should be known through the media.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.253-259
• /
• 2022

This study aims to provide a basis for preparing specific welfare measures for healthy lives of those who have lost vitality due to COVID-19 by identifying the Korean people's level of fear of COVID-19 and vaccine acceptability, and by examining people's life satisfaction. . The research results are as follows. First, the fear of coronavirus perceived by the survey subjects was found to be very high. Second, when compared to other vaccines against coronavirus, fear or fear of the vaccine was significantly higher. Third, the vaccine acceptance of adults perceived by the survey subjects was positive. Fourth, the reliability of the government policy on the coronavirus prevention vaccine was found to be relatively high. Fifth, in the evaluation of quality of life, economic satisfaction was lower than in other areas, and emotional satisfaction was found to be relatively high compared to other areas.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.33 no.9
• /
• pp.746-753
• /
• 2023

Viral infectious diseases have been regarded as one of the greatest threats to global public health. The recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a stark reminder of the threat posed by emerging viral infections. Developing and producing appropriate and efficient vaccines and therapeutics are the only options to combat this pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for novel vaccine platforms to control and prevent emerging viral diseases. Conventional vaccine platforms, including live-attenuated vaccine and inactivated vaccines, pose limitations in the speed of vaccine development, manufacturing capacity, and broad protection for emergency use. Interestingly, vaccination with the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate based on the mRNA-lipid nanoparticle (LNP) platform protected against COVID-19, confirming that the nucleoside-modified candidate is a safe and effective alternative to conventional vaccines. Moreover, the prophylactic strategies against the COVID-19 pandemic have been mRNA nucleic acid-based vaccines and nanoparticle-based platforms, which are effective against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. Overall, the novel vaccine platform has presented advantages compared with the traditional vaccine platform in the COVID-19 pandemic. This review explores the recent advancements in vaccine technologies and platforms, focusing on mRNA vaccines, digital vaccines, and nanoparticles while considering their advantages and possible drawbacks.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.51 no.5
• /
• pp.537-548
• /
• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the factors influencing COVID-19 vaccination intentions in nurses. Methods: The participants were 184 nurses in Korea. Data were collected using a Google Form online survey method in February, 2021, and analyzed using an independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis with the SPSS/WIN 26.0 program. Results: COVID-19 vaccination intention in nurses was correlated significantly with vaccine hesitancy (r = .58, p < .001), risk perception of COVID-19 (r = .22, p = .003), perception of vaccination as a professional duty (r = .59, p < .001), and attitude towards workplace infection control policies (r = .20, p = .007). Vaccine hesitancy (β = .40, p < .001) and the perception of vaccination as a professional duty (β = .44, p < .001) significantly influenced COVID-19 vaccination intention. The model developed in this study explained 50% of the variation in COVID-19 vaccination intention. Conclusion: Improving the perception of vaccination as a professional duty and lowering vaccine hesitancy may enhance nurses' COVID-19 vaccination intention. Above all, it is necessary to provide programs to encourage voluntary recognition of vaccination as a professional duty and develop strategies to reduce hesitancy toward COVID-19 vaccinations.

• Journal of Distribution Science
• /
• v.20 no.7
• /
• pp.57-64
• /
• 2022

Purpose: The government of India has initiated the Covid-19 Vaccination drive from early January 2021. Vaccination is identified to be best option to protect the people across the globe. However, owing to fast wide spread of the Covid-19, the Vaccine Distribution is a major challenge owing various issues like temperature control, infrastructure, hesitancy, geographical diversity, and other critical factors. Various research is carried out globally to understand and study the Vaccine Distribution issues based on the respective country issues and factors. Research Design, Data, and Methodology: This research paper attempts to explore prominent factors that could be taken up on priority for better and effective vaccination program. The study tries to rank various factors and sub-factors affecting vaccine distribution in India. AHP methodology based on feedback from 22 experts from the Vaccine industry has been deployed to get the desired results. Result: The results show that factors vaccine approval process, geographical prioritization, power supply, infrastructure maintenance costs for vaccine storage, and vaccine pricing are the prominent factors of effective vaccination in the country. Conclusion: The role and need for district-level health officers towards vaccine storage has been brought forward. A long-term effective vaccination policy is needed for optimum vaccine distribution.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.53 no.2
• /
• pp.208-211
• /
• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate COVID-19 vaccination intentions in Korean parents for their children aged 5 to 11 years and the factors influencing them. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey of 363 parents of children aged 5 to 11 years was conducted in Korea in April 2022. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, χ² -test, Fisher's exact test, and hierarchical logistic regression analysis using SPSS/WIN 26.0 and MedCalc software version 20.113. Results: Of 363 Korean parents with children aged 5 to 11, 42.4% intended to vaccinate their children. Significant factors influencing vaccination intention were the second or third birth order of children (OR = 3.45, 95% CI = 1.45~8.21), vaccine hesitancy-confidence (OR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.51~2.65), vaccine hesitancy-collective responsibility (OR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.10~2.25), and COVID-19 anxiety-avoidance (OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.13~2.11). Conclusion: Findings suggest that COVID-19 vaccine campaigns based on reliable information and evidence from health authorities are needed to increase COVID-19 vaccination. Well-designed health communications for the target population may help to increase parental vaccine acceptance.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.13-30
• /
• 2023

Since the COVID-19 vaccine became available, people have been sharing their opinions on social media about getting vaccinated, causing discussions of the vaccine to trend on Twitter alongside certain events, making the website a rich data source. This paper explores people's perceptions regarding the COVID-19 vaccine during certain events and how these events influenced public opinion about the vaccine. The data consisted of tweets sent during seven important events that were gathered within 14 days of the first announcement of each event. These data represent people's reactions to these events without including irrelevant tweets. The study targeted tweets sent in Arabic from users located in Saudi Arabia. The data were classified as positive, negative, or neutral in tone. Four classifiers were used-support vector machine (SVM), naïve Bayes (NB), logistic regression (LOGR), and random forest (RF)-in addition to a deep learning model using BiLSTM. The results showed that the SVM achieved the highest accuracy, at 91%. Overall perceptions about the COVID-19 vaccine were 54% negative, 36% neutral, and 10% positive.

• Journal of Distribution Science
• /
• v.19 no.8
• /
• pp.5-12
• /
• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to analyze and examine the issues that are directly associated with the United States COVID-19 vaccine distribution and its strategies so that other countries may learn from it and develop sound distribution strategies. Research design, data and methodology: This paper has applied both historical and narrative models to review, identify, and analyze existing literatures to assess the United States' vaccine distribution strategy. Results: Distribution strategy developed by the United States seems to have focused heavily on the basic tenets of physical distribution, i.e., transportation, warehousing, inventory, and large-venue mass-vaccination sites, and the strategy seems to have been successful when looking only at the physical tenets of distribution. However, the analysis indicates that the distribution strategy has not either focused on or included the major activities of distribution, such as inward and outward communication, information, and customer satisfaction. Conclusions: The countries that are currently developing or implementing COVID-19 vaccine distribution strategy should review and learn from the United States' vaccine distribution strategy and its implementation. The countries should include and address all the activities of distribution, including inward and outward communication, information, and customer satisfaction to achieve their vaccination goals, minimize confusion, reduce wasting of doses and vaccine desserts, and improve vaccination rates.

• Journal of Korean Society for Quality Management
• /
• v.51 no.4
• /
• pp.643-662
• /
• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand an individuals' COVID-19 vaccine acceptance intention during the peak of the pandemic by utilizing the coping theory and technology threat avoidance theory (TTAT) as a framework. Specifically, we focused on understanding how inward and outward emotion-focused coping (EFC), such as psychological distancing and emotional support seeking, affect problem-focused behavior (PFC), which is vaccine acceptance. Furthermore, we investigate how the individuals' cognitive appraisal to- ward COVID-19, consisted of perceived threat and perceived avoidability act as an antecedent of EFC. Methods: A PLS-SEM analysis was conducted to find the causal relation between the variables. An online survey was conducted targeting vaccination recipients on April, 2021. Participants were asked about their perception toward the virus, their coping strategy, and vaccine acceptance intention. A total of 186 valid samples were collected and used for the analysis. Furthermore, to analyze the out-of-sample predictive power of the research model and ensure the generalizability of the results, a PLSpredict analysis was conducted. Results: The results of the PLS-SEM analysis show that perceived threat toward COVID-19 significantly affect an individuals' EFC strategy. Furthermore, both types of inward EFC (psychological distancing, wishful thinking) negatively affected vaccine acceptance intention. On the other hand, emotional support seeking, which is a type of outward EFC, positively affected vaccine acceptance. The result of the PLSpredict analysis confirms the generalizability of the PLS-SEM result. Conclusion: The results of our study could be utilized to decrease vaccine hesitancy and prevent global pandemics by accelerating and increasing vaccination. Our study provides several meaningful implications to researchers and practitioners regarding vaccine acceptance and threat coping behavior.