PHWR Public Health Weekly Report

Vol.15 No.24, June 16, 2022 Article TypeCOVID-19 Special ReportEpidemiology and SurveillanceIssues on COVID-19 vaccinesNoncommunicable Disease Statistics

• Issues on COVID-19 vaccines 2022-06-16

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  Safety monitoring of Novavax COVID-19 vaccine from February 14 to May 7, 2022

  Seontae Kim, Yeseul Heo, Mjeong Ko, Sunyeong Seo, Dosang Lim, Enhi Cho, Yeon-Kyeng Lee

  Public Health Weekly Report 2022; 15(24): 1674-1688

  

  

  Abstract

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  In the Republic of Korea (ROK), the Novavax coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination was rolled out on February 14, 2022, for persons aged ≥18 years. In order to identify potential adverse events for rapid responses, a text message-based survey was conducted among persons who completed Novavax vaccination, in parallel with adverse event reports by doctors, in accordance with the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act.
  This report aimed to analyze the data on adverse events following Novavax vaccination reported to the COVID-19 vaccination management system (CVMS) from February 14 to May 7, 2022, in addition to the text message-based survey asked about health conditions and adverse events following the primary Novavax vaccination series including the first and second doses between February 21 and April 24, 2022.
  During this period, a total of 666 adverse events following Novavax vaccination were reported in the CVMS; 95.6% of them were non-serious adverse events such as myalgia and headache. The overall reporting rate per 100,000 doses administered was 154.8. According to the text message survey, the most frequently reported adverse events after either dose 1 or dose 2 were pain at the injection site, fatigue or tiredness, and myalgia, and they disappeared gradually 1-2 days after vaccination. In addition, the response rate of adverse events was higher among persons aged 18-64 years than that among persons aged ≥65 years, with more reports after dose 2 than after dose 1, which are consistent with previous findings such as clinical trials.
  This report aimed to identify the safety profile of the Novavax vaccine, recently introduced in the ROK, by analyzing data on adverse events following Novavax vaccination. To promote safe COVID-19 vaccination programs in the ROK, we will continue to monitor any adverse events following vaccination and share up-to-date information on vaccine safety with relevant committees and experts.

• COVID-19 Special Report 2022-06-16

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  Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine and Paxlovid treatment against SARS-Cov-2 infection related severe outcome and death during the Omicron variant outbreak; COV-EPI evaluation study in LTCFs

  Hanul Park, Hye young Lee, Mi Yu, Yeong-Jun Song, Sang Eun Lee, Young Joon Park, Ji-Joo Lee, Eun-Sol Lee, Yeonjung Kim

  Public Health Weekly Report 2022; 15(24): 1688-1695

  Abstract

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  On November 5, 2021, Pfizer Inc. announced a treatment method using Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir + ritonavir) that could reduce the risk of hospitalization or death for confirmed patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). From February 6 to April 2, 2022, the incidence of COVID-19 as well as the effects of Paxlovid treatment and COVID-19 vaccine were analyzed in 2,241 patients and workers at five long term care facilities (LTCFs) during the outbreak of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
  Among the patients at LTCFs, the incidence of severe cases was 7.14% for those who did not receive Paxlovid and 3.69% for patients who did, and the fatality rates were was 5.61% and 3.53%, respectively. There was 51% (adjusted relative risk [aRR]=0.49; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.24-0.98) reduction in the rate of severe illness or death among patients who were administered Paxlovid compared with that noted among those who were not administered Paxlovid. In addition, the condition of 9.84% of patients who were not vaccinated progressed to severe illness, whereas the condition of only 3.27% of patients who completed the third vaccination progressed to severe illness; the fatality rates were 8.20% and 3.27%, respectively. Compared with patients who were unvaccinated, those who completed the third vaccination showed 71% (aRR=0.29; 95% CI: 0.13-0.64) reduction in the rate of severe illness or death and 65% (aRR=0.35; 95% CI: 0.15-0.79) reduction in the risk of death. Among patients at the LTCFs, the rates of severe illness or death and fatality were lower in the group that was administered Paxlovid than in the non-administered group, and these rates were also lower in the group that completed the third vaccination than in the unvaccinated group.
  As the COVID-19 outbreak continues, the fatality rate has decreased; however, patients of LTCFs are still a high-risk group for COVID-19. The current countermeasures must first be supplemented through continuous analysis of the effects of vaccinations and the use of therapeutics at LTCFs and other facilities that are at high risk for severe COVID-19, while preparing for future outbreaks of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.

• Epidemiology and Surveillance 2022-06-16

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  South American hemorrhagic fevers: characteristics, vaccines, and treatment

  Jin Sun No, Myung-Min Choi, Hwajung Yi, Gi-eun Rhie

  Public Health Weekly Report 2022; 15(24): 1696-1702

  Abstract

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  South American hemorrhagic fevers (SAHF) are, acute febrile hemorrhagic diseases and zoonoses present in South America. SAHF are caused by 5 Mammarenaviruses (J unin, Chapare, Sabia, Machupo, and Guanarito virus). Transmission to humans occurs through direct contact with infected rodents and inhalation of the virus in their aerosolized excreta. In spite of the high fatality rate of SAHF, currently only Junin virus, the etiological agent of Argentine hemorrhagic fever, has a licensed preventive vaccine (Candid #1) which is made of a live-attenuated Junin virus. There is no commercialized treatments specific to SAHF, and symptomatic treatments for the SAHF are used. Therefore, it is important and essential to reduce the opportunity of infection by avoiding contact with infected rodents and by complying with infection prevention and control procedures while visiting endemic areas.

• Noncommunicable Disease Statistics 2022-06-16

  0 110 74

  Trend in rate of chewing difficulties, 2011-2020

  Public Health Weekly Report 2022; 15(24): 1707-1708

  

  

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