METHODS: From 2014 to 2017, a total of 245 invasive S. pneumoniae isolates from children ≤5 years of age were received from hospitals all around Malaysia. All isolates were identified and subjected to serotyping and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
RESULTS: Of the 245 isolates, 117 (48.0%) were from children aged <1year, 46 (19.05%) were from children aged 1-2 years, and 82 (33.0%) were from children aged 2-5 years. The most common serotypes were 14 (26.9%), 6B (19.6%), 19A (11.8%), 6A (10.6%), and 19F (6.9%) and vaccine coverage was 88.2% for PCV13, 64.1% for PCV10, and 63.3% for PCV7. Resistance to penicillin was 0.2% for non-meningitis cases and 22.2% for meningitis cases; erythromycin resistance was reported in 42.9%, co-trimoxazole in 35.9%, and tetracycline in 42.9%.
CONCLUSIONS: Serotypes 14, 6B, 19A, 6A, and 19F were the most common serotypes isolated from children with IPD in Malaysia during this pre-vaccination era. The lack of reports on the serotype distribution has limited action for the implementation of PCV in the national immunization programme (NIP). The information from this study may benefit future policies for the introduction of PCV in the Malaysian NIP and ultimately may reduce the morbidity and mortality among children in Malaysia.
METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out from 30 June to 30 August 2021 involving 775 respondents. The survey instrument for the questionnaire was an adaptation from various different studies consisting of five main variables: (1) misinformation about vaccination; (2) risk perception toward COVID-19; (3) attitudes toward the vaccination programme; (4) intention to get vaccinated; and (5) public confidence in the government in executing the vaccination programme.
RESULTS: The results of this study indicate that higher exposure to misinformation led to higher levels of negative attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccine. When the perceived risk of COVID-19 infection was high, mistrust of vaccine benefits was low but there were also higher worries about the future effects of the vaccine. Confidence in the government was associated with lower negative attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccine.
CONCLUSION: The results of this study may help develop an understanding of negative attitudes toward vaccinations in Malaysia and its contributing factors.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey between February and May 2022, with 423 respondents. The questionnaire consisted of socio-demographic, assessment of knowledge level and acceptance level towards COVID-19 vaccine. The descriptive analysis and non-parametric tests were employed to investigate the study outline objectives.
RESULTS: Of all 423 participants, 293 (69.3%) of the participants had a high level of knowledge about the COVID- 19 vaccine (median knowledge score 6; IQR = 3), and 239 (56.5%) were reported to have a low level of vaccine acceptance (median acceptance scores 4; IQR=2). The knowledge level towards the COVID-19 vaccine was significantly associated with the vaccine acceptance level (p<0.001).
CONCLUSION: The community's level of knowledge towards COVID-19 vaccine was high; however, the vaccine acceptance was low.