Human schistosomiasis is a chronic and debilitating neglected tropical disease caused by parasitic worms of the genus Schistosoma. It is endemic in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Although there is currently no vaccine available, vaccines are in development. In this paper, we extend a simple compartmental model of schistosomiasis transmission by incorporating the vaccination option. Unlike previous models of schistosomiasis transmission that focus on control and treatment at the population level, our model focuses on incorporating human behavior and voluntary individual vaccination. We identify vaccination rates needed to achieve herd immunity as well as optimal voluntary vaccination rates. We demonstrate that the prevalence remains too high (higher than 1%) unless the vaccination costs are sufficiently low. Thus, we can conclude that voluntary vaccination (with or without mass drug administration) may not be sufficient to eliminate schistosomiasis as a public health concern. The cost of the vaccine (relative to the cost of schistosomiasis infection) is the most important factor determining whether voluntary vaccination can yield elimination of schistosomiasis. When the cost is low, the optimal voluntary vaccination rate is high enough that the prevalence of schistosomiasis declines under 1%. Once the vaccine becomes available for public use, it will be crucial to ensure that the individuals have as cheap an access to the vaccine as possible.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16869 | DOI Listing |
BMC Public Health
December 2024
Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy Department, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, Taif, 21944, Saudi Arabia.
Background: There is limited data that assessed the changes in public confidence in routine childhood and adult vaccines after Corona Virus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. We, therefore, assessed these changes and the reasons; if any; for these changes and measured the impact of COVID-19 on peoples' thoughts regarding routine vaccinations in Saudi Arabia.
Methods: We undertook a cross-sectional online study in Saudi Arabia from November 2023 to April 2024.
J Med Case Rep
December 2024
Department of Applied Physics, Faculty of Engineering, University of Fukui, 3-9-1 Bunkyo, Fukui, 910-8507, Japan.
Background: Vaccine protection against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection reduces gradually over time, requiring administration of updated boosters. However, long-term immune response following up to the sixth dose of the messenger RNA vaccine has not been well studied.
Case Presentation: We longitudinally determined anti-spike protein immunoglobulin G antibody levels in a 69-year-old Japanese man 76 times (first to sixth dose) to investigate their dynamics.
BMC Public Health
December 2024
Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Children's Medical Center Hospital, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the significance of immunizations, particularly among susceptible populations such as children. This study examines the factors that influence parents' decision to accept or hesitate in vaccinating their children in an urban environment.
Methods: A one-year cross-sectional study was carried out at a paediatric hospital in Tehran, Iran.
BMC Public Health
December 2024
National Engineering Laboratory for Internet Medical Systems and Applications, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 1 Jianshe Road, Erqi District, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China.
Background: Men's involvement in and support for women's decision-making concerning human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is crucial. However, the support provided by men to promote HPV vaccination among women, as a crucial part of intimate relationships has received limited attention. This study examined the behaviors and willingness of young Chinese adult men to support HPV vaccination in women and explored potential factors influencing supportive behaviors and willingness.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPeerJ
December 2024
Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States of America.
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