A Qualitative Study Exploring Motivators and Barriers to COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake among Adults in South Africa and Zimbabwe.

While vaccines are a well-established method of controlling the spread of infectious diseases, vaccine hesitancy jeopardizes curbing the spread of COVID-19. Through the Vaccine Information Network (VIN), this study explored barriers and motivators to COVID-19 vaccine uptake. We conducted 18 focus group discussions with male and female community members, stratified by country, age group, and-for Zimbabwe only-by HIV status.

Advancing the Science of Vaccine Safety During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic and Beyond: Launching an International Network of Special Immunization Services.

Within 2 years after the start of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccines were developed, rigorously evaluated in large phase 3 trials, and administered to more than 5 billion individuals globally. However, adverse events of special interest (AESIs) have been described post-implementation, including myocarditis after receipt of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines and thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome after receipt of adenoviral vector vaccines. AESIs are rare (<1 to 10/100 000 vaccinees) and less frequent than COVID-19 complications, though they have associated morbidity and mortality.