Antibody and T-Cell Responses against SARS-CoV-2 after Booster Vaccination in Patients on Dialysis: A Prospective Observational Study

Intensive vaccination is recommended for populations more vulnerable to COVID-19 infection, although data regarding the built of immunity after vaccination for dialysis patients are lacking. This prospective, observational cohort study of maintenance hemodialysis patients examined IgG antibody levels against the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S1) protein, neutralizing activity, and interferon gamma levels after the third dose of the BNT162b2 (Pfizer–BioNTech) or mRNA-1273 (Moderna) vaccine. Humoral immunity was repeatedly measured for up to two months. The study includes 58 patients on hemodialysis. Median neutralizing antibodies reached a maximum at 56 and 9 days after booster vaccination with BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273, respectively. The median IgG antibody titer reached a maximum of 3104.38 and 7209.13 AU/mL after 16 days of booster dose, and cellular immunity was positive in 61.9% and 100% of patients with BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 vaccination, respectively. By repeating the measurements over a period of two months, we clarified the chronological aspects of the acquisition of humoral immunity in dialysis patients after a booster COVID-19 vaccination; most dialysis patients acquired not only humoral immunity, but also cellular immunity against SARS-CoV-2. Future research should investigate the continued long-term dynamics of antibody titers and cellular immunity after the third or further vaccinations, evaluating the need for additional vaccinations for hemodialysis patients

Hospital Staff Shortage after the 2011 Triple Disaster in Fukushima, Japan-An Earthquake, Tsunamis, and Nuclear Power Plant Accident: A Case of the Soso District

<div><p>Introduction</p><p>In 2011, Fukushima was struck by a triple disaster: an earthquake, tsunamis, and a nuclear accident. In the aftermath, there was much fear among hospital staff members about radiation exposure and many staff members failed to report to work.</p><p>Objectives</p><p>One objective is to measure this shortage in hospital staff and another is to compare the difference in recovery by hospital types and by categories of hospital staff.</p><p>Design</p><p>The monthly records of the number of staff members from May 2011 to September 2012 were extracted anonymously from the records of 7 local hospitals in the Soso district in Fukushima. Change in the number of staff was analyzed.</p><p>Results</p><p>Staff shortages at hospitals reached a maximum within one month after the disaster (47% reported to work). The shortage of clerks was the most severe (38% reported to work), followed by nurses (48% reported to work). The shortages remained even 18 months after the disaster.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>After a disaster in which the damage to hospital functions surpasses the structural damage, massive support of human resources in the acute phase and a smaller volume of support in the mid-term phase appear to be required, particularly for non-medical staff.</p></div

The % change in the number of hospital staff members at each hospital within 18 months after the triple disaster.

<p>The % change in the number of hospital staff members at each hospital within 18 months after the triple disaster.</p

The % change in the number of hospital staff members working in the Soso district during the 18 months after the triple disaster.

<p>The % change in the number of hospital staff members working in the Soso district during the 18 months after the triple disaster.</p