Firas Zaier

Dr. Firas Zaier

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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29 October 2026 in Preprints.org
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Firas ZaierFiras Zaier
Firas Zaier
SDSonia Dhaouadi
Sonia Dhaouadi
AHAicha Hchaichi
Aicha Hchaichi
HLHejer Letaief
Hejer Letaief
RMRim MHEDHBI
Rim MHEDHBI
NANissaf Bouafif ép Ben Alaya
Nissaf Bouafif ép Ben Alaya
Background: Older adults experienced a disproportionate burden of COVID-19 mortality, but national evidence is limited. We described COVID-19 mortality among adults aged ≥65 years (March 2020–December 2022) and vaccination coverage among adults aged ≥60 years (March 2021–December 2022). Methods: We conducted a retrospective national descriptive and ecological study using ONMNE mortality surveillance and aggregated EVAX vaccination data. We calculated mortality, age-standardized, and proportional mortality rates; vaccination coverage; dropout proportions; and no-show rates. Results: Of 29,306 COVID-19 deaths, 20,467 (69.8%) occurred among adults aged ≥65 years; 8,725 (42.6%) were aged ≥80 years and 11,463 (56.0%) were male. Cumulative mortality was 1,809.9 per 100,000, with the highest period-specific rate during Delta predominance (750.1 per 100,000). Coverage among adults aged ≥60 years was 95.4% for at least one dose, 88.3% for primary-schedule completion, and 38.4% for a third dose; cumulative uptake was 215.1 doses per 100. Coverage varied by governorate; no-show rates increased in 2022. Conclusions: Mortality was concentrated among the oldest-old and during Delta predominance. Coverage was high nationally but uneven geographically, and booster uptake and attendance declined. Targeted outreach and equitable access remain priorities.