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Background Our study aimed to determine the risk of herpes zoster reactivation and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination (mRNA vaccine [BNT162b2] and adenovirus-vectored vaccine [ChAdOx1 nCoV-19]). Methods This retrospective study analyzed herpes zoster cases diagnosed between 26 February 2021 and 30 June 2021 and registered in the National Health Insurance Service database. A matched case-control study with a 1:3 matching ratio and a propensity score matching (PSM) study with a 1:1 ratio of vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals were performed. Results In the matched case control analysis, BNT162b2 was associated with an increased risk of herpes zoster reactivation (first dose adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06–1.15; second dose aOR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.12–1.23). PSM analysis revealed a statistically significant increase in risk within 18 days following any vaccination (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.09; 95% CI, 1.02–1.16). BNT162b2 was associated with an increased risk at 18 days postvaccination (aHR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.35–2.02) and second dose (aHR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.02–1.19). However, the risk did not increase in both analyses of ChAdOx1 vaccination. Conclusions mRNA COVID-19 vaccination possibly increases the risk of herpes zoster reactivation, and thus close follow-up for herpes zoster reactivation is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A prospective cohort study was conducted for adults with a diagnosis of with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Convalescent blood samples were obtained 4, 6, and 11 months after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The seropositivity of anti-spike antibody was maintained in all patients (100%) until 11 months after COVID-19 diagnosis. Neutralizing antibody levels against wild-type SARS-CoV-2 gradually decreased but remained positive in >50% of patients 11 months after diagnosis: in 98.5% (67 of 68) at 4 months, 86.8% (46 of 53) at 6 months, and 58.8% (40 of 68) at 11 months. However, cross-neutralizing activity against the Beta and Delta variants was attenuated 2.53-fold and 2.93-fold, respectively, compared with the wild-type strain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite use of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) over the last decade, the disease burden of pneumococcal pneumonia is still high. We evaluated the field effectiveness of PCV13, PPSV23, and sequential vaccination against pneumococcal pneumonia in older adults.Methods: This prospective multicenter study was conducted in adults aged ≥65 years hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) between September 2015 and August 2017. The case-control test-negative design was used to estimate vaccine effectiveness (VE) against pneumococcal CAP.Results: Of 1525 cases with CAP hospitalization, 167 (11.0%) were identified as pneumococcal CAP. In the elderly aged ≥65 years, the adjusted VE of pneumococcal vaccines against pneumococcal CAP was statistically insignificant: 40.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], -10.8% to 67.5%) for PCV13 and 11.0% (95% CI, -26.4% to 37.3%) for PPSV23. However, in the younger subgroup (aged 65-74 years), sequential PCV13/PPSV23 vaccination showed the highest adjusted VE of 80.3% (95% CI, 15.9%-95.4%), followed by single-dose PCV13 (adjusted VE, 66.4% [95% CI, .8%-88.6%]) and PPSV23 (adjusted VE, 18.5% [95% CI, -38.6% to 52.0%]).Conclusions: Sequential PCV13/PPSV23 vaccination is most effective for preventing pneumococcal CAP among the elderly aged 65-74 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is insufficient data on the longevity of immunity acquired following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. We aimed to evaluate the duration of SARS-CoV-2-specific humoral and cellular immunity according to the clinical severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The study population comprised asymptomatic (n=14), symptomatic/non-pneumonic (n=42), and pneumonic (n=41) patients. The anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and neutralizing antibody (NAb) titers lasted until six months after diagnosis, with positivity rates of 66.7% and 86.9%, respectively. Older age, prolonged viral shedding and accompanying pneumonia were more frequently found in patients with sustained humoral immunity. SARS-CoV-2 specific T-cell response was strongly observed in pneumonic patients and prominent in individuals with sustained humoral immunity. In conclusion, most (> 85%) patients carries NAb until six months after diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection, providing insights for establishing vaccination strategies against COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is insufficient data on the longevity of immunity acquired after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection., Methods: We aimed to evaluate the duration of SARS-CoV-2-specific humoral and cellular immunity according to the clinical severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The study population comprised asymptomatic (n = 14), symptomatic/nonpneumonic (n = 42), and pneumonic (n = 41) patients., Results: The anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin class G and neutralizing antibody (NAb) titers lasted until 6 months after diagnosis, with positivity rates of 66.7% and 86.9%, respectively. Older age, prolonged viral shedding, and accompanying pneumonia were more frequently found in patients with sustained humoral immunity. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-specific T-cell response was strongly observed in pneumonic patients and prominent in individuals with sustained humoral immunity., Conclusions: In conclusion, most (>85%) patients carry NAb until 6 months after diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection, providing insights for establishing vaccination strategies against COVID-19., (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)