Considering the impact of vaccine communication in the COVID-19 pandemic among adults in Canada: A qualitative study of lessons learned for future vaccine campaigns.

We aimed to understand how experiences with vaccine-related information and communication challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic impacted motivations and behaviors among Canadian adults regarding future vaccines. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants purposively selected to ensure diversity in age, sex at birth, self-identified gender, and region. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis; findings were mapped to the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model focusing on factors affecting vaccine hesitancy and uptake.

COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and preference for future delivery among language minority, newcomer, and racialized peoples in Canada: a national cross-sectional and longitudinal study.

Background: Despite high COVID-19 vaccine coverage in Canada, vaccine acceptance and preferred delivery among newcomers, racialized persons, and those who primarily speak minority languages are not well understood. This national study explores COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, access to vaccines, and delivery preferences among ethnoculturally diverse population groups.

Methods: We conducted two national cross-sectional surveys during the pandemic (Dec 2020 and Oct-Nov 2021).

Preoperative Radiation Therapy is Not Associated with Postoperative Complications in Patients with Retroperitoneal Sarcoma.

Background: The role of preoperative radiation therapy (RT) in the management of retroperitoneal sarcomas (RPS) remains controversial. A legitimate concern is the potential for worse outcomes after surgery for RPS with preoperative RT.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of preoperative (± intraoperative) RT on postoperative complications in patients undergoing surgery for RPS.

Phase 2 Trial of Veliparib, Local Irradiation and Temozolomide in Patients with Newly Diagnosed High-Grade Glioma: A Children's Oncology Group Study.

Background: The outcome for pediatric patients with high-grade glioma (HGG) remains poor. Veliparib, a potent oral poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase (PARP) 1/2 inhibitor, enhances the activity of radiotherapy and DNA-damaging chemotherapy.

Methods: We conducted a single-arm, non-randomized phase 2 clinical trial to determine whether treatment with veliparib and radiotherapy, followed by veliparib and temozolomide, improves progression-free survival in pediatric patients with newly diagnosed HGG without H3 K27M or BRAF mutations compared to patient level data from historical cohorts with closely matching clinical and molecular features.

Enhancing HPV vaccine uptake in girls and boys - A qualitative analysis of Canadian school-based vaccination programs.

The purpose of this study was to better understand barriers and enabling conditions for HPV vaccination in school-based vaccination programs in Canada. Semi-structured interviews were conducted by telephone or in person with parents, nurses, and school staff (n = 50) in three Canadian provinces. Interviews explored views on HPV and HPV vaccination, strengths and weaknesses of the school-based HPV vaccination programs and proposed interventions to increase uptake.

Proton-Based Radiation Therapy for Skull Base Chondrosarcomas in Children and Adolescents: 40-Year Experience From the Massachusetts General Hospital.

Purpose: The literature on skull base chondrosarcoma (CHS) is scarce. We report outcomes for pediatric and young patients ≤22 years with base of skull CHSs treated with proton-based radiation therapy (PBRT).

Methods And Materials: We retrospectively reviewed all patients treated with PBRT between 1981 and 2023.

PTCOG international survey of practice patterns and trends in utilization of proton therapy for breast cancer.

Purpose/objectives: The indications, techniques, and extent to which proton beam therapy (PBT) is employed for breast cancer are unknown. We seek to determine PBT utilization for breast cancer.

Materials/methods: The Particle Therapy Co-Operative Group (PTCOG) Breast Subcommittee developed an IRB-approved 29-question survey and sent it to breast cancer radiation oncologists at all active PBT centers worldwide in June 2023.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in a privately funded program in Ghana: A qualitative case study.

HPV vaccination is one of the safest and most effective interventions against HPV-related cancers. From 2013 to 2018, HPV vaccination was piloted in Ghana in preparation for a national program. Yet, at the time of this study, there was no publicly funded HPV vaccination program in Ghana.

A Missed Opportunity: Evaluating Immunization Status and Barriers in Hospitalized Children.

Objective: Hospitalized children are a potentially underimmunized population. We sought to determine the proportion of patients admitted to our pediatric medicine inpatient units who are underimmunized or unimmunized and to identify barriers to immunization faced by families of children admitted to hospital.

Methods: We conducted a prospective study of children aged 2 months to 18 years admitted to our pediatric medicine inpatient units between July 2021 and October 2022.

Use of narratives to enhance childhood vaccine acceptance: Results of an online experiment among Canadian parents.

Identifying effective interventions to promote children's vaccination acceptance is crucial for the health and wellbeing of communities. Many interventions can be implemented to increase parental awareness of the benefits of vaccination and positively influence their confidence in vaccines and vaccination services. One potential approach is using narratives as an intervention.

"You can push these conversations, but don't push your patient away": healthcare learner perspectives on virtual simulation games as an educational approach to address vaccine hesitancy.

Background: Vaccine hesitancy is a significant threat to public health. Healthcare providers (HCPs) can address hesitancy during routine patient conversations; however, few multidisciplinary education tools exist for HCPs to learn to engage in vaccine discussion especially considering new vaccine technologies such as mRNA vaccines. The objectives of this study were to explore HCP learners' experiences with COVID-19 vaccine communication, and qualitatively evaluate an online learning module composed of virtual simulation games (VSGs) which utilize the PrOTCT Framework for HCP vaccine communication.

Impact of maternal depression and anxiety on immunization status of children: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Maternal depression and anxiety can have a detrimental impact on birth outcomes and healthy child development; there is limited knowledge on its influence on immunization schedule adherence. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine the impact of maternal depression and anxiety in the perinatal period on prolonged vaccine delay of childhood vaccines.

Methods: In this prospective cohort study, we analyzed linked survey and administrative data of 2,762 pregnant women in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Patterns of recurrence after radiotherapy for high-risk neuroblastoma: Implications for radiation dose and field.

Background: Prognosis for patients with high-risk neuroblastoma (HR-NBL) is guarded despite aggressive therapy, and few studies have characterized outcomes after radiotherapy in relation to radiation treatment fields.

Methods: Multi-institutional retrospective cohort of 293 patients with HR-NBL who received autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) and EBRT between 1997-2021. LRR was defined as recurrence at the primary site or within one nodal echelon beyond disease present at diagnosis.

Pedicled omental flaps for complex wound reconstruction following surgery for primary spine tumors of the mobile spine and sacrum.

Objective: Surgery for primary tumors of the mobile spine and sacrum often requires complex reconstruction techniques to cover soft-tissue defects and to treat wound and CSF-related complications. The anatomical, vascular, and immunoregulatory characteristics of the omentum make it an excellent local substrate for the management of radiation soft-tissue injury, infection, and extensive wound defects. This study describes the authors' experience in complex wound reconstruction using pedicled omental flaps to cover defects in surgery for mobile spine and sacral primary tumors.

Human papillomavirus vaccine coverage among immigrant adolescents in Alberta: a population-based cohort study.

Background: Little is known about human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among immigrant children in Canada. We conducted a study in Alberta, Canada to assess HPV vaccine coverage among school-aged immigrant children compared with non-immigrant children.

Methods: This cohort study analysed population-based linked administrative health data to measure HPV vaccine coverage for 346 749 school-aged children, including 31 656 immigrants.

Validation of Patient-Reported Outcomes in Patients With Nonmetastatic Breast Cancer Receiving Comprehensive Nodal Irradiation in the RadComp Trial.

Purpose: Our purpose was to evaluate the measurement properties of patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures used in the ongoing RadComp pragmatic randomized clinical trial (PRCT).

Methods And Materials: The deidentified and blinded data set included 774 English-speaking female participants who completed their 6-month posttreatment assessment. Eleven PRO measures were evaluated, including the Trial Outcome Index from the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B), Satisfaction with Breast Cosmetic Outcomes, the BREAST-Q, and selected Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) measures.

Sex Differences in the Immunogenicity and Efficacy of Seasonal Influenza Vaccines: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Sex impacts individuals' response to vaccination. However, most vaccine studies do not report these differences disaggregated by sex. The aim of this study was to assess sex differences in the immunogenicity and efficacy of influenza vaccine.

Chondrosarcoma of the Mobile Spine: An Update on Patients Treated at a Single Institution.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to report the clinical data for patients treated with mobile spine chondrosarcoma.

Summary Of Background Data: Chondrosarcoma of the mobile spine is a rare and challenging entity.

"I try to take all the time needed, even if i do not have it!": Knowledge, attitudes, practices of perinatal care providers in canada about vaccination.

Objective: Successful clinical conversations about vaccination in pregnancy (pertussis, COVID-19, and influenza) are key to improving low uptake rates of both vaccination in pregnancy and infancy. The purpose of this study was to understand Canadian perinatal care providers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices around vaccination in pregnancy.

Methods: Qualitative interviews with 49 perinatal care providers (nurse practitioner, general practitioner, registered nurse, registered midwife, obstetrician-gynecologist, and family physicians) in 6 of 13 provinces and territories were deductively coded using directed content analysis [1] and analyzed according to key themes.