Patients with autoimmune diseases are among the susceptible groups to COVID-19 infection because of the complexity of their conditions and the side effects of the immunosuppressive drugs used to treat them. They might show impaired immunogenicity to COVID-19 vaccines and have a higher risk of developing COVID-19. Using a systematic review and meta-analysis, this research sought to summarize the evidence on COVID-19 vaccine efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety in patients with autoimmune diseases following predefined eligibility criteria. Research articles were obtained from an initial search up to 26 September 2022 from PubMed, Embase, EBSCOhost, ProQuest, MedRxiv, bioRxiv, SSRN, EuroPMC, and the Cochrane Center of Randomized Controlled Trials (CCRCT). Of 76 eligible studies obtained, 29, 54, and 38 studies were included in systematic reviews of efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety, respectively, and 6, 18, and 4 studies were included in meta-analyses for efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety, respectively. From the meta-analyses, patients with autoimmune diseases showed more frequent breakthrough COVID-19 infections and lower total antibody (TAb) titers, IgG seroconversion, and neutralizing antibodies after inactivated COVID-19 vaccination compared with healthy controls. They also had more local and systemic adverse events after the first dose of inactivated vaccination compared with healthy controls. After COVID-19 mRNA vaccination, patients with autoimmune diseases had lower TAb titers and IgG seroconversion compared with healthy controls.

Background: Health care workers (HCWs) are a high-priority group for COVID-19 vaccination for several reasons. Health behavior theory-based studies on the intention or acceptability of COVID-19 vaccination among Indonesian HCWs is lacking. Using an integrated behavioral model, this research sought to identify Indonesian health care workers’ intentions to obtain COVID-19 vaccines. Methods: A countrywide cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted. The questionnaire was constructed on the basis of IBM (integrated behavioral model) constructs and scored on a seven-point bipolar scale. A hierarchical multivariable regression was used to evaluate the fit of the predictor model as well as the correlations between variables in the study. Results: 3304 people responded to the survey. A model combining demographic and IBM characteristics predicted 42.5 percent (adjusted R² = 0.42) of the COVID-19 vaccination intention. Vaccination intention was associated with favorable vaccine attitudes, perceived norms, and self-efficacy. Among the determining constructs, behavior belief predicted vaccination intention the best. Being female, being married, having a history of COVID-19 infection, living outside Java Island, and having a low income were all linked to lower vaccination intentions. Conclusions: This study confirms the IBM model’s robustness in predicting health care workers’ intention to vaccinate against COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially among health-care workers. One of the most important preventive measures is vaccination. This study examined factors associated with the incidence rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection after mRNA-1273 booster vaccination (preceded by the CoronaVac primary vaccination) and the antibody profile of health-care workers at one of the tertiary hospitals in Indonesia. This was a combined retrospective cohort and cross-sectional study. Three hundred health-care workers who were given the mRNA-1273 booster vaccine a minimum of 5 months prior to this study were randomly selected. Participants were then interviewed about their history of COVID-19 vaccination, history of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and comorbidities. Blood samples were taken to assess IgG sRBD antibody levels. The median antibody level was found to be 659 BAU/mL (min 37 BAU/mL, max 5680 BAU/mL, QIR 822 BAU/mL) after the booster, and this was not related to age, sex, comorbidities, or adverse events following immunization (AEFI) after the booster. SARS-CoV-2 infection after the booster was correlated with higher antibody levels. In sum, 56 participants (18.6%) experienced SARS-CoV-2 infection after the mRNA-1273 booster vaccination within 5 months. Incidence per person per month was 3.2%. Age, sex, diabetes mellitus type 2, hypertension, obesity, and post-booster AEFI were not related to COVID-19 incidence after the booster. History of SARS-CoV-2 infection before the booster vaccination was significantly associated with a reduced risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection after booster vaccination, with a relative risk (RR) of 0.21 (95% CI 0.09–0.45, p < 0.001).

Vaccine hesitancy can be a challenge for those with autoimmune diseases. This study investigated the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination by patients with autoimmune diseases in Indonesia using the integrated behavioral model (IBM). This cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2021 to February 2022. A total of 404 patients with autoimmune diseases completed the survey. The majority of respondents (57.9%) said they intended to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The IBM model with added demographic variables explained 54.1% of the variance of vaccination intention (R² = 0.541). Self-efficacy, perceived norms, experiential attitude, and instrumental attitude are significantly correlated with vaccination intention in components of health behavior theories. Self-efficacy is the most critical factor influencing vaccination intention in patients with autoimmune diseases (F(2, 401) = 96.9, p < 0.001, R² = 0.326). In the multivariate analysis, vaccine intention was found to be positively associated with patients’ occupation as health-care workers (β = 0.105). Meanwhile, having a personal history of contracting COVID-19 and having co-morbidities other than autoimmune diseases were negatively correlated to the willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19. This study confirms the viability of the IBM model for predicting the COVID-19 vaccination intention of patients with autoimmune diseases. It is essential to provide patients with autoimmune diseases with information that is clear and supported by evidence-based medicine.

In Indonesia, COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy persists among health care workers (HCWs). Understanding the motives and challenges impacting HCWs’ acceptance of the booster vaccination is critical. Efforts are still needed to overcome apprehension about taking a booster dosage. This study aims to analyze the vaccine acceptance among HCWs in Jakarta using an extended, modified model of health behavior theories, namely The Health Belief Model (HBM) and The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). A cross-sectional survey from November 2021 to January 2022 was distributed to health care workers in Jakarta. Bivariate analysis followed by multivariate regression was used to assess factors associated with the vaccine intention and collected 1684 responses. The results have shown that the final model combining the constructs and demographic characteristics could explain 50% of the variance of intention to receive a COVID-19 booster vaccination. Moreover, anticipated regret had the most significant standardized coefficient among the constructs (β = 0.381, p < 0.001). Other significant predictors in the model were attitude (β = 0.243, p < 0.001), perceived benefits (β = 0.103, p < 0.001), subjective norms (β = 0.08, p = 0.005), and perceived susceptibility (β = 0.051, p = 0.016). The findings can be used to strategize interventions to increase vaccine uptake.

BACKGROUND Hajj pilgrims are prone to asthma exacerbation because of the high transmission rate of respiratory infections, severe environmental factors, and high-intensity activities during the Hajj. Well-controlled asthma status and preventive efforts prior to the Hajj could reduce such exacerbations. This research aimed to determine the risk factors of asthma exacerbation during the Hajj to help establish preventive measures. METHODS Participants were evaluated at community health centers (puskesmas) through history taking, physical examination, and spirometry. The risk factors examined included a history of exacerbation one year before the Hajj, obesity, comorbidities (e.g., diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary heart disease), lung function, smoking, fitness level, and influenza vaccination. Asthma exacerbation while in Saudi Arabia was determined through direct observations by authors and physicians assigned to Hajj pilgrim groups and analysis of data obtained from questionnaires distributed to the pilgrims before their departure. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated using logistic regression. RESULTS Among 68 pilgrims with asthma, exacerbation occurred in 27 (40%) pilgrims. Risk of asthma exacerbation was significantly increased in the pilgrims with a history of exacerbation one year before the Hajj (OR = 4.27; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.156-15.829; p = 0.029) and obesity grade II (OR = 4.02; 95% CI = 1.151-14.097; p = 0.029). Other factors, including smoking, comorbidities, lung function, fitness level, obesity grade I, and influenza vaccination, were not significantly related to exacerbation. CONCLUSIONS Obesity grade II and history of asthma exacerbation one year before the Hajj are strong factors for asthma exacerbation during Hajj pilgrims.