Publications by authors named "A K Kristoffersen"
Heterogeneity in vaccine response, particularly in vulnerable populations like the elderly, represents a significant public health challenge. We conducted an in-depth examination of immune cell profiles before and after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination utilizing mass cytometry in a cohort of healthy Norwegian seniors (65-80 years). We have demonstrated that higher pre-vaccination frequencies of CD27IgD class-switched memory B cells and subsets of CD27CD24CD38 transitional B cells were associated with a robust vaccine response.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn this study, we assessed the overall impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in the United States between 2020 and 2023 through estimates of excess all-cause mortality. Monthly mortality rates over a 19-year period, stratified by age, sex and state of residence were used to forecast expected mortality for the pandemic years. A combination of models - two timeseries, a spatial random effects and a generalized additive -- was used to better capture uncertainty.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Understanding cellular responses to SARS-CoV-2 immunisations is important for informing vaccine recommendations in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and other vulnerable patients on immunosuppressive therapies. This study investigated the magnitude and quality of T cell responses after multiple SARS-CoV-2 vaccine doses and COVID-19 breakthrough infection.
Methods: This prospective, observational study included patients with IBD and arthritis on tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) receiving up to four SARS-CoV-2 vaccine doses.
Article Synopsis
- Pakistani immigrants in Norway are the largest non-Western ethnic minority, and they extensively use traditional medicines (TM) for health issues, influenced by practices from Pakistan.
- A qualitative study involving 24 interviews revealed three main themes related to TM: knowledge transmission within families, decision-making around health restoration, and awareness of potential adverse effects, with many participants using TM alongside conventional medicine.
- Although participants view TM as safe due to its natural origin, some have experienced adverse effects without reporting them to health authorities, suggesting a need for public health policies that acknowledge traditional practices and further research on TM safety.
Background: Due to changes in testing policy and increased use of rapid tests, other indicators for SARS-CoV-2 infections are needed to monitor vaccine effectiveness (VE). We aimed to estimate VE against COVID-19 sick leave (> 3 days, certified by a medical professional) among employed individuals (25-64-years-old) in Norway.
Methods: We performed a nationwide cohort study by collating data from the Emergency preparedness register for COVID-19.