Background: Since its surfacing in 2019, COVID-19 has spread all over the world and became an international concern. Vaccines against COVID-19 are expected to be the key in controlling this pandemic. To achieve this, studying factors that affect COVID-19 vaccine acceptance is crucial in order to increase the vaccine uptake rate of Filipinos to attain herd immunity. Objective: The study aimed to determine the factors affecting COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among adult patients in primary care clinics in Laguna, Las Piñas and Parañaque. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted last June 2021 with 137 adult patients from 6 clinics. The participants were given self-administered questionnaires containing items on sociodemographic profile and perception on vaccines. MS Excel and IBM SPSS were used for statistical analysis. Categorical variables were summarized as frequencies and percentages and continuous variables as means and standard deviations. Chi square was used to compare outcomes. Variables with statistically significant differences (p-value of <0.05) were included in multinomial regression analysis to determine association with vaccine acceptance. Results: Residence (p=0.0166), educational level (p=0.017), perceived effectiveness of vaccines to prevent and control COVID-19 (p=0.001), safety (p=0.001), doctor’s recommendation (p=0.039), risk of being infected (p=0.025) and refusal of any type of vaccine in the past (p=0.003) were associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Conclusion Through this study, the authors found that most of the respondents are willing to get vaccinated regardless of their sociodemographic characteristics. Concerns about vaccine availability and accessibility can hinder the promotion of vaccine uptake in the future. This study can be used as a basis for development and planning of COVID -19 vaccination programs.
COVID-19 ; COVID-19 Vaccines

Background: In response to the pandemic brought about by COVID-19, vaccines were developed immediately. Together with adhering to safety protocols, vaccines are needed to help decrease the mortality and morbidity. As with any other, COVID-19 vaccines are evaluated based on efficacy and safety. Real world data is important in the recommendation of vaccines. Objectives: This study aims to assess the short-term safety of BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccines administered to Filipino adolescents from October 15, 2021 to December 15, 2021 at the Philippine General Hospital. The number and type of local and systemic reaction within 7 days of vaccination were determined. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study. The review of the recorded events was done through an electronic diary that was accessed from the official Electronic Medical Records of University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH). This included solicited and prespecified local and systemic reactions that occurred within 7 days of receipt of vaccine dose. Descriptive statistics was used to present the data. Results: Out of the 1,756 BNT162b2 vaccines administered (Dose 1- 890; Dose 2- 866), 13% (N=221) indicated having adverse reaction. Injection site pain was the overall most common reaction with majority (81%) experiencing it within 7 days of vaccination. Systemic reactions made up 60% of the reactions after Dose 1 and 85% of the reactions after Dose 2. This includes tiredness, headache and fever. None of the reactions required hospitalization or further workup. Conclusion BNT162b2 vaccine has a good safety profile among adolescents vaccinated at UP-PGH, since most of the reported adverse events within 7 days of vaccination were local and systemic reactogenic reactions that did not necessitate hospitalization or work-up. No serious adverse events were reported. Further follow-up is suggested to assess longer term safety.
COVID-19 Vaccines

COVID-19 Vaccines ; Face

Background: Ever since the Dengvaxia controversy, vaccine confidence has plummeted in the Philippines, posing a problem for the COVID-19 vaccination program in the country [1,2]. With the impending COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial to identify those who refuse vaccination, their perception about vaccines, and the immensity of their concerns [3]. Objectives: This study aimed to measure and describe the perception and attitude of Filipino mothers regarding COVID-19 vaccination for themselves and their children. Methodology: This descriptive-correlational study had a total of 404 respondents who answered the adapted survey questionnaire. The data gathered were analyzed through descriptive statistics such as percentages and standard deviations, and correlated using T-test and Pearson product-moment correlation. Results: The majority of the respondents stated their reluctance to receive the COVID-19 vaccine for themselves (56.9%) and their children (55%) while more than a third stated their refusal of the said vaccine for themselves (35%) and their children (39.6%). The top reason for their refusal was the concern for potential side effects. An overwhelming proportion of the respondents perceived that local leaders would support COVID-19 vaccination. Moreover, those who heard negative feedback on vaccines still stated their willingness to accept it. The respondents generally had a positive attitude on COVID-19 vaccination in terms of its importance. Pearson correlation showed a high positive correlation (r=0.785, p<0.05) between attitude towards self- and child-vaccination. Conclusion Respondents had a general positive attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination. Respondents with a more positive attitude towards self-vaccination were likely to have a positive attitude towards child-vaccination for COVID-19.
Vaccines ; COVID-19

Background: The recent inclusion of the pediatric population aged 12-17 years old in the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in the country is necessary in order to increase vaccine coverage, and eventually achieve herd immunity. Vaccination of those in this age group is dependent on the vaccine acceptance of their parents or respective caregivers. Objective: The study’s primary aim was to determine factors associated with parents’ intent to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. Specifically, this study aims to determine: 1. parent and child factors that influence the parents willingness to have their children vaccinated, 2. external factors in the decision to vaccinate their children, that is, if it is recommended by the doctor or school, and 3. concerns of parents regarding vaccination Methods: A multi-clinic cross-sectional analytic study design was used. Respondents were parents in select Healthway Family Clinics in Cavite. Data were gathered via self-administered questionnaires, adapted and modified with permission from the authors of The COVID States Project. Data were analyzed using Epi Info 7. Results: Among 350 respondents, 73.71% are most likely to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 once the vaccine becomes available to them. The major parental concerns are: long term health effects (56.29%), whether it has been tested enough (54.86%), immediate side effects (54.57%), and whether the vaccine actually works (54%). There is an association between the willingness of parents to vaccinate their children with the age and COVID-19 vaccination status of parent, and age and EPI immunization status of the child. Parents consider doctors’ and school’s recommendations to be very important factors in their decision to vaccinate their children Conclusion Majority of participants are likely to have their children vaccinated. Knowledge of associated factors and parental concerns gives the researchers better understanding of vaccine hesitancy amongst parents. This is vital to promote vaccination in the clinic setting, and on a much larger scale, in the local and national government’s public health strategies.
COVID-19 Vaccines

Introduction: COVID-19 has emerged as a global problem with vaccines being established as one of the best tools in its control. Of particular interest in dermatology are risks and manifestations of cutaneous reactions from such countermeasures, with strides made in documenting and associating skin reactions with vaccines against COVID-19. This study aimed to determine the incidence of cutaneous adverse reactions in recipients of recombinant ChAdOx1-S and inactivated SARS-COV-2 vaccines among healthcare personnel and employees of UERMMMCI. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done were respondents, chosen through randomized stratified cluster sampling, were given a questionnaire to elicit cutaneous adverse effects associated with COVID-19 vaccines. Results: There were198 respondents, of which 29.3% were male and 70.7% were female, with a mean age of 26.07 years. Of these respondents, 72 (36.36%) received recombinant ChAdOx1-S and 126 (63.64%) received inactivated SARS-COV-2 vaccine. For the first dose, cutaneous reactions developed in 6 (8.33%) recipients of recombinant ChAdOx1-S, and 2 (1.59%) recipients of inactivated SARS-COV-2. For the second dose, no reactions followed vaccination with recombinant ChAdOx1-S while 4 (3.17%) reactions developed after inactivated SARS-COV-2 vaccination. Lesions were mostly confined to the injection site presenting with erythema for both vaccine types. One urticarial, widespread reaction was associated with a second dose of inactivated SARS-COV-2 vaccine. Conclusions Adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccinations have been documented which may be attributed to respective excipients rather than vaccine antigens. Due to the rare occurrence of severe anaphylactic reactions, vaccine use is recommended as they confer protection even to those with prior infections. Documented reactions in this study were observed to be mild and self- limiting similar to larger studies.
Vaccines ; COVID-19 ; Pandemics

Introduction: Fear and concern over vaccine safety are the most common reasons for vaccine hesitancy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare staff are among those at high risk of contracting the virus. They are also the public’s vital source of information and in providing trust regarding COVID-19 vaccines. This study was conducted to assess perception, attitude, and vaccination acceptance towards COVID-19 vaccines among healthcare staff at Eastern Visayas Regional Medical (EVMC). Objective: To assess the perceived knowledge, attitude, and readiness to accept COVID-19 Vaccines among Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVMC) healthcare staff. Methods: This analytic cross-sectional study included all medical and allied personnel employed at EVMC. Data were collected with signed consent through self-administration of a researcher-developed validated questionnaire, subsequently analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: About 634 participated, many belonged to the age group 30-39 years old (47.8%), mostly female (66.3%), single (50 %), and Roman Catholic (89.4%). Data showed no significant relationship between age, sex, marital status, religion, and the presence of chronic illness of the healthcare staff towards perceived knowledge, attitude, and readiness towards the COVID-19 vaccine. However, their clinical role was noted as significant towards their perceived knowledge and attitude (p-value = <.001). Overall, the healthcare staff response showed a moderate to high perceived knowledge and attitude about COVID-19 vaccine acceptance (p-value= <.001). Conclusions Notably, the clinical role of healthcare staff is significantly related to their perceived knowledge and attitude towards the COVID-19 vaccine. Moreover, they manifested moderate to high levels of perceived knowledge, attitude, and COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. These results may help address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, thus strengthen vaccine confidence among the general population. Furthermore, it provides inputs to create strategies that will enhance vaccine literacy and acceptance, directly addressing the community’s concerns and misconceptions, particularly those vulnerable groups that may easily contract severe infection.
COVID-19 Vaccines ; Attitude

Background: In response to the pandemic brought about by COVID-19, vaccines were developed immediately. Together with adhering to safety protocols, vaccines are needed to help decrease the mortality and morbidity. As with any other, COVID-19 vaccines are evaluated based on efficacy and safety. Real world data is important in the recommendation of vaccines. Objectives: This study aims to assess the short-term safety of BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccines administered to Filipino adolescents from October 15, 2021 to December 15, 2021 at the Philippine General Hospital. The number and type of local and systemic reaction within 7 days of vaccination were determined. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study. The review of the recorded events was done through an electronic diary that was accessed from the official Electronic Medical Records of University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH). This included solicited and prespecified local and systemic reactions that occurred within 7 days of receipt of vaccine dose. Descriptive statistics was used to present the data. Results: Out of the 1,756 BNT162b2 vaccines administered (Dose 1- 890; Dose 2- 866), 13% (N=221) indicated having adverse reaction. Injection site pain was the overall most common reaction with majority (81%) experiencing it within 7 days of vaccination. Systemic reactions made up 60% of the reactions after Dose 1 and 85% of the reactions after Dose 2. This includes tiredness, headache and fever. None of the reactions required hospitalization or further workup. Conclusion BNT162b2 vaccine has a good safety profile among adolescents vaccinated at UP-PGH, since most of the reported adverse events within 7 days of vaccination were local and systemic reactogenic reactions that did not necessitate hospitalization or work-up. No serious adverse events were reported. Further follow-up is suggested to assess longer term safety.
COVID-19 Vaccines ; mRNA Vaccines

Introduction. In the attempt to control the spread of the disease and the pandemic, numerous COVID-19 vaccines are in development. A review of the evidence on their efficacy and safety are critical. Methods. A search for trials was done using the COVID-19 Living OVerview of Evidence (L·OVE) platform. We also searched for relevant authorization documents and trial reports for COVID-19 vaccines of the US-Food and Drug Authority (US-FDA), the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the United Kingdom Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), and the WHO website. We included studies that fulfilled the following inclusion criteria: population – humans; intervention – COVID-19 vaccines; comparison – control or placebo; outcomes – efficacy and adverse events; methods – phase 3 randomized trials. Two reviewers independently screened the reports, assessed the methodological quality, and extracted the data on the trial characteristics and results on vaccine efficacy and safety. The date of last search was March 11, 2021. Results. Interim results of trials investigating five vaccines were identified and included in the review. All five vaccines demonstrated satisfactory vaccine efficacy (VE) against symptomatic COVID-19 infection among adults in the short term with moderate certainty of evidence: BNT162b2, VE 95% (95% CI 90.3, 97.6); mRNA-1273, VE 93.6% (95% CI 88.6, 96.5); ChAdOx1, VE 66.7% (95% CI 57.4, 74.0), Gam-COVID-Vac, VE 91.1% (95% CI 83.6, 95.1); and Ad26.CoV2.S, VE 67.2% (95% CI 59.3, 73.7). Data on the efficacy against severe COVID-19 infection and asymptomatic COVID-19 infection are still inconclusive, except for Ad26.CoV2.S, which demonstrated good efficacy in preventing moderate and/or severe COVID-19 infection and acceptable protection against asymptomatic COVID-19 infection 28 days after vaccination (moderate certainty of evidence). Efficacy data on preventing death from COVID-19 infection are still inconclusive. Very limited phase 3 trial data is available to inform vaccine efficacy against the different variants of SARS-CoV-2. Vaccination with these five vaccines was associated with higher adverse reactions compared to control. These adverse events, due to reactions to the vaccines, were mild to moderate and of short duration. Available evidence on vaccine efficacy and safety is limited, mainly due to the short follow up and the small sample size of specific populations. Conclusion. BNT162b2, mRNA-1273, ChAdOx1, Gam-COVID-Vac and Ad26.CoV.S vaccines demonstrated satisfactory vaccine efficacy against symptomatic COVID-19 infection among adults in the short term with moderate certainty of evidence. Data on the efficacy against severe COVID-19 infection, asymptomatic COVID-19 infection, and death from COVID-19 infection are still inconclusive. Long-term efficacy and safety data, and data on the efficacy against variant strains of SARS-CoV-2 are still lacking.
Humans ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; COVID-19

Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused a global health crisis, necessitating the development of vaccines. An emerging cutaneous reaction is herpes zoster. Case Series: We present 7 cases of Filipino patients who developed herpes zoster after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Four patients received Sinovac Biotech Ltd (CoronaVac), 2 patients received Oxford AstraZeneca, and 1 patient received Pfizer-BioN- Tech (COMIRNATY). Five patients developed herpes zoster after their first dose of the vaccine, while 2 patients developed herpes zoster after their second dose. All patients were prescribed anti-viral medication, after which resolution of the lesions was observed. Conclusion As more vaccines are administered, further surveillance is necessary to expand our understanding of a possible association between herpes zoster and COVID-19 vaccines. Additionally, awareness of cutaneous reactions following COVID-19 vaccines and their disease course can contribute to shifting the attitude towards pro-vaccination.
COVID-19 Vaccines ; Herpes Zoster ; COVID-19