Burundi’s ‘Worst Enemy’: the Country’s Fight Against COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has proved to be a severe global public health threat, causing high infection rates and mortality worldwide. Burundi was not spared the adverse health outcomes of COVID-19. Although Burundi’s initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic was criticized, hope arose in June 2020 when the new government instituted a plan to slow virus transmission that included public health campaigns, international travel restrictions, and mass testing, all of which proved effective. Burundi has faced many challenges in containing the virus, the first of which was the lack of initial preparedness and appropriate response to COVID-19. This was exacerbated by factors including shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE), limited numbers of life-saving ventilators (around 12 ventilators as of April 2020), and the presence of only one COVID-19 testing center with less than ten technicians in July 2020. Moreover, as Burundi is amongst the poorest countries in the world, some citizens were unable to access necessities such as water and soap, required for compliance with government recommendations regarding hygiene. Interestingly, Burundi did not implement a nationwide lockdown, allowing mass gatherings and public services to continue as usual due to a firm belief in God’s protection. As the daily confirmed cases have tripled since December 2020, Burundi must prepare itself for the threat of a new wave. Establishing precautionary measures to contain the virus and strengthening the health surveillance system in Burundi would significantly positively impact the prevention and management of COVID-19

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on self-reported 12-month pneumococcal vaccination series completion rates in Canada

Routine childhood vaccination improves health and prevents morbidity and mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases. There are indications that the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted immunization rates globally, but systematic studies on this are still lacking in Canada. This study aims to add knowledge on the pandemic’s effect on children’s immunization rates with pneumococcal vaccine using self-reported immunization data from CANImmunize. An interrupted time series analysis was conducted on aggregated monthly enrollment of children on the platform (2016–2021) and their pneumococcal immunization series completion rates (2016–2020). Predicted trends before and after the onset of the COVID19-related restriction (March 1, 2020) were compared by means of an Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA). The highest monthly enrollment was 3,474 new infant records observed in January 2020, and the lowest was 100 records in December 2021. The highest Self-reported pneumococcal immunization series completion rate was 78.89%, observed in February 2017, and the lowest was 6.94% in December 2021. Enrollment decreased by 1177.52 records (95% CI: −1865.47, −489.57), with a continued decrease of 80.84 records each month. Completion rates had an immediate increase of 14.57% (95% CI 4.64, 24.51), followed by a decrease of 3.54% each month. The onset of the COVID-19 related restrictions impacted the enrollment of children in the CANImmunize digital immunization platform and an overall decrease in self-reported pneumococcal immunization series completion rates. Our findings support efforts to increase catch-up immunization campaigns so that children who could not get scheduled immunization during the pandemic are not missed

Acceptability of COVID-19 vaccination in Herat, Afghanistan

Background: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is one of the major concerns in the roll out of vaccines in many countries. The aim of the study was to assess the level of COVID-19 vaccine acceptability among the population in Herat, Afghanistan, the third largest city in the country. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between 15 April 2021 and 20 April 2021 among the general population of Herat City to examine the acceptability rate of COVID-19 vaccine. Sample size was calculated at 555. Different variables were collected using a questionnaire developed. Data were evaluated in IBM SPSS program. Results: Only 10.63% of the participants were willing to receive COVID-19 vaccine without having any concern and reservation. 45% were willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. 66.5% were concerned about the vaccine and its side effects and 29% were afraid of being infected by transmission of COVID-19 through the administration of vaccine on them. Conclusion: This research demonstrates that, concerns about the vaccine, myths and misinformation are widespread which will undermine the vaccination process. This study recommends the initiation of more health-related campaigns and awareness programs by the government for general population to enhance and expedite the roll out of COVID-19 vaccine

Norway's Battery Electric Vehicles and Public Health- Findings From the Literature.

The transportation sector is among the highest contributors to the increase in greenhouse gas emissions in European nations, with private cars emerging as the primary source. Although reducing emissions presents a formidable challenge, the emergence of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) offers a promising and sustainable avenue toward achieving zero greenhouse gases within the transportation infrastructure. Since the 1990s, the Norwegian parliament has fervently supported this transition, leveraging public awareness campaigns and a range of financial incentives for its users nationwide. The widespread utilization of BEVs promises substantial health benefits, including ensuring cleaner air for all citizens regardless of their socioeconomic status and fostering improvements in public health outcomes. This transition potentially curtails hundreds of thousands of annual deaths attributed to climate change, enhances the quality of life, bolsters civilian productivity, and fuels economic and population growth. The adoption of BEVs offers a myriad of advantages, including reduced health risks and premature mortality, as well as a quieter environment with diminished noise pollution. Nonetheless, the integration of BEVs necessitates robust road infrastructure with considerable maintenance costs, alongside limitations on driving range for users. Concerns arise regarding potential particle emissions from BEV tire wear due to the increased weight of batteries compared to conventional vehicles. Rapid acceleration capabilities may accelerate tire degradation, contributing to higher particle emissions, of which only 10% to 20% remain suspended in the air, whereas the majority settles on road surfaces, posing a threat to nearby aquatic ecosystems when washed into water bodies and soils. While BEVs hold promise for valuable benefits, successful policy creation and implementation require a detailed awareness of their limitations and challenges to ensure a comprehensive approach to sustainable mobility and public health improvement. Therefore, more research on the limitations of BEVs can help inform improved tactics for maximizing their benefits while limiting potential disadvantages