1.Efficacy, effectiveness, and safety of COVID-19 vaccine compared to placebo in preventing COVID-19 infection among 12-17 years old: A systematic review
Germana Emerita V. Gregorio ; Angelo Martin B. Catacutan ; Ma. Lucila M. Perez ; Leonila F. Dans
Acta Medica Philippina 2024;58(7):41-53
Objectives:
The World Health Organization recently revised their recommendations and considered healthy children and adolescents as low priority group for COVID-19 vaccine. This review comprehensively assessed existing clinical evidence on COVID-19 vaccine in 12-17 years old.
Methods:
Included in this review were any type of study that investigated the efficacy, immunogenicity, safety, and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine on protection against SARS-COV-2 infection in 12-17 years old. Various electronic databases were searched up to March 15, 2023. Studies were screened, data extracted, risk of bias appraised, and certainty of evidence was judged using GRADE. Review Manager 5.4 was used to estimate pooled effects. Difference between the two groups was described as mean difference for continuous variables and as relative risk or odds ratio for categorical variables.
Results:
There were six randomized controlled trials and 16 effectiveness studies (8 cohorts and 8 case control). Low certainty evidence showed that BNT162b2 (Pfizer) was effective, immunogenic, and safe in healthy adolescents. There were 15 effectiveness studies on BNT162b2 (Pfizer) in healthy adolescent and one on immunocompromised patients. It was protective against infection with any of the variants, with higher protection against Delta than Omicron. BNT162b2 is protective against hospitalization and emergency and urgent care (high certainty); and critical care and MIS-C (low). Very low certainty evidence noted that BNT 162b2 was also immunogenic in 12-21 years old with rheumatic diseases while on immunomodulatory treatment but with possible increased exacerbation of illness. Low certainty evidence demonstrated that mRNA-1273 (Moderna) was effective, immunogenic, and safe. Low to very low certainty evidence were noted on the safety and immunogenicity of two vector base vaccines (ChAdOx1-19 and Ad5 vector COVID vaccine) and two inactivated vaccines (CoronaVac and BBIBP CorV).
Conclusion
There is presently low certainty evidence on the use of RNA vaccines in 12-17 years old. The
recommendation on its use is weak. There is presently insufficient evidence for the use of inactivated and
vector-based COVID-19 vaccines. Different countries should consider whether to vaccinate healthy adolescent without comprising the other recommended immunization and health priorities that are crucial for this age group. Other factors including cost-effectiveness of vaccination and disease burden should be accounted.
mRNA Vaccines
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Vaccines, Inactivated
2.Clinical practice guidelines on leptospirosis in children 2019
Maria Anna P. Bañ ; ez, M.D ; Melba V. Marasigan, M.D. ; Ma. Liza Antoinette M. Gonzales, M.D., MSc ; Grace Devota G. Go, M.D. ; Fatima I. Gimenez, M.D. ; Mary Antonette C. Madrid, M.D. ; John Andrew T. Camposano, M.D. ; Jennifer M. Nailes, M.D., MSPH ; Ma. Lucila M. Perez, M.D., MSc
Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines Journal 2023;24(1):5-69
Executive Summary
Leptospirosis is a disease prevalent mostly in tropical and subtropical countries. Its potential to be a concerning
problem emerges with the onset of the rainy season, as flooding and heavy rainfall facilitate disease epidemics. Among
those at risk of contracting the disease are field workers, veterinarians, sewer workers, military personnel and those
who swim or wade in contaminated waters.
In the absence of an existing evidence-based guideline for the pediatric age group, this first edition hopes to
standardize approach to diagnosis, antibiotic management, and prevention of leptospirosis. The intended users are
primary care physicians, family medicine physicians, pediatricians, and other healthcare workers involved in the
management of leptospirosis in children.
Ten priority questions were identified by a group of experts composed of an oversight committee, a guideline
writing panel, and a technical review committee. The GRADE methodology was used to determine the quality of
evidence of each recommendation. The draft recommendations (summarized below) were finalized after these were
presented to and voted on by a panel of stakeholders.