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Abstract Background Migrants are individuals who move to a different country from their usual place of residence. Japan’s migrant population, particularly technical interns and students, has been growing. Even before the pandemic, previous studies have highlighted difficulties faced by migrants in utilizing healthcare services. This study examined the uptake of COVID-19 vaccination, testing, and medical care among Myanmar migrants in Japan; identified the factors associated with this uptake; and described the difficulties encountered when utilizing these services. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted between March and April 2023 targeting Myanmar migrants over 18 years residing in Japan for more than 6 months. An online self-administered questionnaire in Myanmar language covered socioeconomic characteristics; history of COVID-19 vaccination, testing, and medical care; and difficulties encountered while utilizing these services with multiple-choice questions. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed separately to identify the factors associated with the uptake of COVID-19 vaccination, testing, and medical care. Results Among the 207 participants, 52% (n = 108) were under 30 years, 30% (n = 62) were male, and 31% (n = 65) were low-skilled workers (technical interns and students). Overall, 91% (n = 189) had received the COVID-19 vaccination, 76% (n = 157) had been tested for COVID-19, and 43% (n = 68) tested positive. However, only 77% (n = 52) of COVID-19 patients sought medical care. Participants under 30 years of age were less likely to receive the COVID-19 vaccine compared to those aged 30 and older (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.01–0.88, p = 0.038). Low-skilled workers were less likely to seek medical care compared to those holding other categories of residential status (aOR 0.12, 95% CI 0.02–0.79, p = 0.027). Among service users, 5% faced difficulties with COVID-19 vaccination, 10% with testing, and 17% with receiving medical care. Long waiting times and complex reservation processes were the main difficulties encountered. Conclusions The uptake of COVID-19 vaccination, testing, and medical care in this sample was reasonably good. However, individuals under 30 years of age showed lower uptake of vaccination, while low-skilled workers had lower uptake of medical care. Strengthening education and support for young migrants and low-skilled workers regarding COVID-19 and other infectious diseases is essential, especially in workplaces and educational institutions.

Background: Vietnam continues to have measles and rubella outbreaks following supplementary immunization activities (SIA) and routine immunization despite both having high reported coverage. To evaluate immunization activities, age-specific immunity against measles and rubella, and the number of averted Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) cases, must be estimated. Methods: Dried blood spots were collected from 2091 randomly selected individuals aged 1-39 years. Measles and rubella virus-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) were measured by enzyme immunoassay. Results were considered positive at ≥120 mIU/mL for measles and ≥10 IU/mL for rubella. The number of CRS cases averted by immunization since 2014 were estimated using mathematical modelling. Results: Overall IgG seroprevalence was 99.7% (95%CI: 99.2-99.9) for measles and 83.6% (95%CI: 79.3-87.1) for rubella. Rubella IgG seroprevalence was higher among age groups targeted in the SIA than in non-targeted young adults (95.4% [95%CI: 92.9-97.0] vs 72.4% [95%CI: 63.1-80.1]; P < 0.001). The estimated number of CRS cases averted in 2019 by immunization activities since 2014 ranged from 126 (95%CI: 0-460) to 883 (95%CI: 0-2271) depending on the assumed postvaccination reduction in the force of infection. Conclusions: The results suggest the SIA was effective, while young adults born before 1998 who remain unprotected for rubella require further vaccination.

Objectives The rapid spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant has raised concerns regarding waning vaccine-induced immunity and durability. We evaluated protection of the third-dose and fourth-dose mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariant and its sublineages.Design Systematic review and meta-analysis.Data sources Electronic databases and other resources (PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, CINAHL PLUS, APA PsycINFO, Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, MedRxiv and bioRxiv) were searched until December 2022.Study eligibility criteria We included studies that assessed the effectiveness of mRNA vaccine booster doses against SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe COVID-19 outcomes caused by the subvariant.Data extraction and synthesis Estimates of vaccine effectiveness (VE) at different time points after the third-dose and fourth-dose vaccination were extracted. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to compare VE of the third dose versus the primary series, no vaccination and the fourth dose at different time points. The certainty of the evidence was assessed by Grading of Recommendations, Assessments, Development and Evaluation approach.Results This review included 50 studies. The third-dose VE, compared with the primary series, against SARS-CoV-2 infection was 48.86% (95% CI 44.90% to 52.82%, low certainty) at ≥14 days, and gradually decreased to 38.01% (95% CI 13.90% to 62.13%, very low certainty) at ≥90 days after the third-dose vaccination. The fourth-dose VE peaked at 14–30 days (56.70% (95% CI 50.36% to 63.04%), moderate certainty), then quickly declined at 61–90 days (22% (95% CI 6.40% to 37.60%), low certainty). Compared with no vaccination, the third-dose VE was 75.84% (95% CI 40.56% to 111.12%, low certainty) against BA.1 infection, and 70.41% (95% CI 49.94% to 90.88%, low certainty) against BA.2 infection at ≥7 days after the third-dose vaccination. The third-dose VE against hospitalisation remained stable over time and maintained 79.30% (95% CI 58.65% to 99.94%, moderate certainty) at 91–120 days. The fourth-dose VE up to 60 days was 67.54% (95% CI 59.76% to 75.33%, moderate certainty) for hospitalisation and 77.88% (95% CI 72.55% to 83.21%, moderate certainty) for death.Conclusion The boosters provided substantial protection against severe COVID-19 outcomes for at least 6 months, although the duration of protection remains uncertain, suggesting the need for a booster dose within 6 months of the third-dose or fourth-dose vaccination. However, the certainty of evidence in our VE estimates varied from very low to moderate, indicating significant heterogeneity among studies that should be considered when interpreting the findings for public health policies.PROSPERO registration number CRD42023376698.

Abstract Background Immunization is one of the most important public health interventions for reducing morbidity and mortality in children. However, factors contributing to low immunization coverage are not fully understood in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). Therefore, this study aimed to identify factors associated with full immunization coverage among children between 12 and 35 months, providing up-to-date information for immunization programs in Lao PDR. Methods We analyzed the subpopulation of a nationwide cross-sectional survey using a multistage cluster sampling procedure to evaluate the measles and rubella seroepidemiology. In addition, we categorized children aged between 12 and 35 months into two groups: “fully immunized” children with a birth dose of Bacillus Calmette and Guérin vaccine, hepatitis B vaccine (Hep B), one and three doses for the measles-containing vaccine (MCV) and pentavalent vaccine and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) and “partially immunized” children who missed any dose of vaccine. Immunization coverage was calculated as the ratio of “fully immunized” to the total. We compared the groups’ demographic characteristics and health service utilization as independent variables. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between immunization coverage, various demographic factors, and health service utilization. Results Overall, 256 of the 416 targeted pairs were included in the analysis. In total, 67.6% of the children were fully immunized. Childbirth at hospitals or health facilities (adjusted odds ratio: 9.75, 95% confidence interval: 5.72–16.62, p