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Fulltext Correlates and Predictors of COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among Persons Living With HIV in Trinidad and Tobago

Lyons N, Bhagwandeen B, Todd S, Boyce G, Samaroo-Francis W, Edwards J

Cureus, 2023 Mar;15(3):e35961.
PMID: 37051005 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.35961

BACKGROUND: Persons living with HIV may be at risk of more severe forms of COVID-19 infection and minimizing health risks largely depends on their acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccinations.
OBJECTIVE: This study examined the correlates and predictors of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among persons living with HIV in Trinidad and Tobago.
METHODS: A cross-sectional survey using a structured interview was conducted. Data were compiled on patient socio-demographics, diagnosed chronic diseases, psychological factors, and decisions to take the COVID-19 vaccine. Pearson χ2 tests examined the associations between study variables and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, and multivariable logistic regression analyses examined its predictors.
RESULTS: In this study, 84% were virally suppressed, i.e., HIV viral load <1000 copies/ml. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was found to be 39%. Univariate analysis showed that higher vaccine hesitancy was significantly associated with females (OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.23-3.33) and patients of mixed ethnicity (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.07-3.15). In our multivariable analysis, psychological factors namely, confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine (OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.05-0.47), the perceived benefits of the vaccine (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.37-0.79), and cues to action (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.47-0.97) were observed as predictors of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy.
CONCLUSION: Psychological factors such as confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine, perceived benefits of the vaccine, and cues to action were possible predictors of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. This study underscored the continued need for strategies to increase confidence and knowledge about the benefits of taking the COVID-19 vaccine among persons living with HIV.
Fulltext Evaluation of the immunogenicity of an mRNA vectored Nipah virus vaccine candidate in pigs

Pedrera M, McLean RK, Medfai L, Thakur N, Todd S, Marsh G, et al.

Front Immunol, 2024;15:1384417.
PMID: 38726013 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1384417

Nipah virus (NiV) poses a significant threat to human and livestock populations across South and Southeast Asia. Vaccines are required to reduce the risk and impact of spillover infection events. Pigs can act as an intermediate amplifying host for NiV and, separately, provide a preclinical model for evaluating human vaccine candidate immunogenicity. The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate the immunogenicity of an mRNA vectored NiV vaccine candidate in pigs. Pigs were immunized twice with 100 μg nucleoside-modified mRNA vaccine encoding soluble G glycoprotein from the Malaysia strain of NiV, formulated in lipid nanoparticles. Potent antigen-binding and virus neutralizing antibodies were detected in serum following the booster immunization. Antibody responses effectively neutralized both the Malaysia and Bangladesh strains of NiV but showed limited neutralization of the related (about 80% amino acid sequence identity for G) Hendra virus. Antibodies were also capable of neutralizing NiV glycoprotein mediated cell-cell fusion. NiV G-specific T cell cytokine responses were also measurable following the booster immunization with evidence for induction of both CD4 and CD8 T cell responses. These data support the further evaluation of mRNA vectored NiV G as a vaccine for both pigs and humans.

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