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AHRQ Research Studies
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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 25 of 49 Research Studies DisplayedAmaefule AQ, Litvintchouk A, de Cordova P
Reevaluating the significance of infection preventionists and infection prevention and control departments in the post-COVID-19 era.
Infection preventionists are specialized health care professionals responsible for infection control policy development and implementation, prevention education for staff and patients, and investigation of outbreaks. The role of infection preventionists in creating effective methods for infection prevention and control became even more critical during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this paper was to increase awareness of the importance for health care systems and health care institutions to integrate lessons learned, improve infection prevention and control resources, and increase the workforce of infection preventionists to better prepare for pandemic events in the future.
AHRQ-funded; HS029023.
Citation: Amaefule AQ, Litvintchouk A, de Cordova P .
Reevaluating the significance of infection preventionists and infection prevention and control departments in the post-COVID-19 era.
Am J Med Qual 2023 Jul-Aug; 38(4):206-08. doi: 10.1097/jmq.0000000000000132..
Keywords: COVID-19, Infectious Diseases, Public Health
Mahmud A, Cushing-Haugen K, Wellman R
Understanding the relationship between social risk factors and COVID-19 contacts.
The purpose of this study was to facilitate researchers’ understanding of the prevalence of patients' social risk factors during the pandemic and recognize how social risks may intensify COVID-19. Between January and September 2020, the researchers conducted a national survey of Kaiser Permanente members and analyzed only the data from those who responded to a set of COVID-19 survey items. The survey included questions on their experiences with social risks, whether they knew of people with COVID-19, if COVID-19 affected their emotional and mental health, and their preferred type of assistance. The study found that 62% of respondents reported social risks, with 38% reporting having 2 or more social risks. The most common response was financial strain (45%). One third of respondents reported one or more contact types with COVID-19. respondents with 2 or more COVID-19 contact types reported higher rates of housing instability, financial strain, food insecurity, and social isolation than those with fewer contacts. Fifty percent of respondents reported that COVID-19 affected their emotional, mental health negatively, and 19% of respondents noted that it affected their ability to maintain a job.
AHRQ-funded; HS013853.
Citation: Mahmud A, Cushing-Haugen K, Wellman R .
Understanding the relationship between social risk factors and COVID-19 contacts.
Perm J 2023 Jun 15; 27(2):18-22. doi: 10.7812/tpp/22.146..
Keywords: COVID-19, Risk, Public Health, Infectious Diseases
Jenkins JL, Hsu EB, Zhang A
Current evidence for infection prevention and control interventions in emergency medical services: a scoping review.
This study’s aim was to summarize current evidence from the United States on the effectiveness of practices and interventions for preventing, recognizing, and controlling occupationally acquired infectious diseases in Emergency Medical Service (EMS) clinicians. A database search was conducted for literature published January 2006 through March 15, 2022 to search for studies in the United States that involved EMS clinicians and firefighters, reported on one or more workplace practices or interventions that prevented or controlled infectious diseases, and included outcome measures. Eleven observational studies reported on infection prevention and control (IPC) practices providing evidence that hand hygiene, standard precautions, mandatory vaccine policies, and on-site vaccine clinics are effective. Less frequent handwashing and less frequent hand hygiene after glove use were positively correlated with nasal colonization of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) or PPE breach were correlated with higher severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) seropositivity and virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) seropositivity. Workers were more likely to be vaccinated against influenza if their employer offered the vaccine. Vaccination rates for H1N1 influenza increased with the use of active, targeted education modules.
AHRQ-funded; 75Q80120D00003.
Citation: Jenkins JL, Hsu EB, Zhang A .
Current evidence for infection prevention and control interventions in emergency medical services: a scoping review.
Prehosp Disaster Med 2023 Jun; 38(3):371-77. doi: 10.1017/s1049023x23000389..
Keywords: COVID-19, Emergency Department, Evidence-Based Practice, Prevention, Public Health, Infectious Diseases
Crnich CJ
Reimagining infection control in U.S. nursing homes in the era of COVID-19.
This paper provides an overview of nursing home (NH) infection and control, reviews the 2016 CMS changes to federal regulations, and proposes recommendations to sustain improvements. COVID-19 put further pressure on nursing homes who were already strained by rising numbers of infections from C. difficile and multidrug-resistant organisms. The author puts out a call for reimagining infection prevention and control using the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety framework. Additional recommendations are made to enhance NH infection prevention and control programs in the areas of people, tasks, tools, organization, built environment, and external environment.
AHRQ-funded; HS022465.
Citation: Crnich CJ .
Reimagining infection control in U.S. nursing homes in the era of COVID-19.
J Am Med Dir Assoc 2022 Dec;23(12):1909-15. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2022.10.022..
Keywords: Elderly, COVID-19, Public Health, Infectious Diseases, Nursing Homes, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Prevention
Adams C, Peterson SR, Hall AJ
Associations of infection control measures and norovirus outbreak outcomes in healthcare settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
This systematic review/meta-analysis’ goal was to assess associations between norovirus outbreak control measures and outcomes in hospitals and long-term care facilities (LTCFs), globally. The authors identified 102 papers describing 162 norovirus outbreaks. Control measures were reportedly implemented in 118 (73%) outbreaks and were associated with 0.6 times smaller patient case counts and 0.7 times shorter durations in hospitals but 1.5, 1.5 and 1.6 times larger overall, resident and staff case counts, respectively, and 1.4 times longer durations in LTCFs. The paper concluded that control measures were likely implemented in response to larger/longer outbreaks in LTCFs rather than causing them, while hospitals’ preemptive control measures resulted in smaller/shorter outbreaks.
AHRQ-funded; HS025987.
Citation: Adams C, Peterson SR, Hall AJ .
Associations of infection control measures and norovirus outbreak outcomes in healthcare settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2022 Feb;20(2):279-90. doi: 10.1080/14787210.2021.1949985..
Keywords: Infectious Diseases, Prevention, Public Health, Evidence-Based Practice
Bartsch SM, Wong KF, Mueller LE
Modeling interventions to reduce the spread of multidrug-resistant organisms between health care facilities in a region.
The objective of this study was to identify a group of target facilities and to assess which multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) intervention would be best to implement in the Shared Healthcare Intervention to Eliminate Life-threatening Dissemination of MDROs in Orange County, a large regional public health collaborative in Orange County, California. Findings suggested that decolonization would be the best strategy for the Shared Healthcare Intervention to Eliminate Life-threatening Dissemination of MDROs in Orange County.
AHRQ-funded; HS023317; HS028165.
Citation: Bartsch SM, Wong KF, Mueller LE .
Modeling interventions to reduce the spread of multidrug-resistant organisms between health care facilities in a region.
JAMA Netw Open 2021 Aug 2;4(8):e2119212. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.19212..
Keywords: Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Infectious Diseases, Public Health
Kruse J, Toledo P, Belton TB
Readability, content, and quality of COVID-19 patient education materials from academic medical centers in the United States.
The internet is a frequently used resource for providing patient education materials (PEMs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the readability, content, and quality of web-based PEMs on COVID-19 from US academic medical centers. Despite availability of web-based PEMs for COVID-19, the readability was significantly higher than the National Institute of Health and US Department of Health and Human Services recommended sixth grade reading level and actionability of PEMs was low.
AHRQ-funded; HS025267; HS026169.
Citation: Kruse J, Toledo P, Belton TB .
Readability, content, and quality of COVID-19 patient education materials from academic medical centers in the United States.
Am J Infect Control 2021 Jun;49(6):690-93. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2020.11.023..
Keywords: COVID-19, Education: Patient and Caregiver, Health Literacy, Public Health, Infectious Diseases
Masonbrink AR, Harris M, Hall M
Safety events in children's hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted hospitals, potentially affecting quality and safety. The objective of this study was to compare pediatric hospitalization safety events during the pandemic versus previous years. The investigators concluded that postoperative sepsis rates increased among children hospitalized during COVID-19. They suggest that efforts are needed to improve safety of postoperative care for hospitalized children.
AHRQ-funded; HS024554; HS024592.
Citation: Masonbrink AR, Harris M, Hall M .
Safety events in children's hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hosp Pediatr 2021 Jun;11(6):e95-e100. doi: 10.1542/hpeds.2020-004937..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, COVID-19, Patient Safety, Sepsis, Adverse Events, Hospitalization, Hospitals, Inpatient Care, Infectious Diseases, Public Health
Barry CL, Anderson KE, Han H
Change over time in public support for social distancing, mask wearing, and contact tracing to combat the COVID-19 pandemic among US adults, April to November 2020.
This study examined changes over time in attitudes towards social distancing, mask wearing, and contact tracing to combat the COVID-19 pandemic among US adults, April to November 2020. Surveys of a nationally representative cohort of US adults were conducted in April, July, and November 2020. Support for social distancing dropped from 89% in April to 79% in July but remained stable in November at 78%. In July and November, more than 75% of respondents supported mask wearing and nearly as many supported contact tracing. Support differences were most pronounced by age, partisanship, and trust in science. Higher support for contact tracing was independently predicted by having a more fluid worldview.
AHRQ-funded; HS000029.
Citation: Barry CL, Anderson KE, Han H .
Change over time in public support for social distancing, mask wearing, and contact tracing to combat the COVID-19 pandemic among US adults, April to November 2020.
Am J Public Health 2021 May;111(5):937-48. doi: 10.2105/ajph.2020.306148..
Keywords: COVID-19, Public Health, Emergency Preparedness, Infectious Diseases
Rhee C, Kanjilal S, Baker M
Duration of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infectivity: when is it safe to discontinue isolation?
This review examined the current evidence of when a Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) patient is no longer infectious and no longer needs to be in isolation. Most patients have persistently positive tests for weeks to months following clinical recovery; but this may not indicate their infectivity. SARS-CoV-2 appears to be most contagious around the time of symptom onset. Infectivity decreases to near-zero after about 10 days in mild-moderately ill patients and 15 days in severely-critically ill and immunocompromised patients. The longest interval associated with replication-competent virus found so far is 20 days from symptom onset.
AHRQ-funded; HS025008.
Citation: Rhee C, Kanjilal S, Baker M .
Duration of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infectivity: when is it safe to discontinue isolation?
Clin Infect Dis 2021 Apr 26;72(8):1467-74. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciaa1249..
Keywords: COVID-19, Respiratory Conditions, Public Health, Infectious Diseases
Byrnes ME, Brown CS, De Roo A
Elective surgical delays due to COVID-19: the patient lived experience.
This study looked at the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on scheduling of elective cardiac and vascular surgery. The authors interviewed 47 individuals who experienced a postponement of surgery due to coronavirus. Patients described 3 key issues around their postponement: 1) surgery as part of a “return to normal”; 2) postponement took a toll on their physical health and mental wellbeing; and 3) many patients in their study said they would “rather die from a heart attack” than be exposed to the coronavirus.
AHRQ-funded; HS000053.
Citation: Byrnes ME, Brown CS, De Roo A .
Elective surgical delays due to COVID-19: the patient lived experience.
Med Care 2021 Apr;59(4):288-94. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001503..
Keywords: COVID-19, Surgery, Public Health, Patient Experience, Infectious Diseases
Malloy GSP, Puglisi L, Brandeau ML
Effectiveness of interventions to reduce COVID-19 transmission in a large urban jail: a model-based analysis.
The authors sought to estimate the impact of various mitigation strategies on COVID-19 transmission in a US jail beyond those offered in national guidelines. They found that depopulation, single celling, and asymptomatic testing within jails can be effective strategies to mitigate COVID-19 transmission in addition to standard public health measures. They recommended that decision makers prioritize reductions in the jail population, single celling, and testing asymptomatic populations as additional measures to manage COVID-19 within correctional settings.
AHRQ-funded; HS026128.
Citation: Malloy GSP, Puglisi L, Brandeau ML .
Effectiveness of interventions to reduce COVID-19 transmission in a large urban jail: a model-based analysis.
BMJ Open 2021 Feb 17;11(2):e042898. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-042898..
Keywords: COVID-19, Public Health, Vulnerable Populations, Prevention, Infectious Diseases
Anderson KE, McGinty EE, Presskreischer R
Reports of forgone medical care among US adults during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This survey measured the frequency of foregone medical care due to COVID-19 from March to mid-July 2020. Johns Hopkins created the COVID-19 Civic Life and Public Health Survey wave 1, with 1468 individuals completing the survey. The sample of respondents were 52% women, 63% non-Hispanic White, 12% Black, and 17% Hispanic. The mean age of respondents was 48 years. A total of 41% of respondents forwent medical care during the March to mid-July time period. Among the 1055 individuals who reported needing care, 52% reported forgoing care for any reason, 29% forwent care owing to fear of COVID-19 transmission, and 7% forwent care owing to financial concerns associated with the pandemic. Respondents lacking any health insurance were more likely to forgo care than respondents with Medicare or commercial insurance.
AHRQ-funded; HS000029.
Citation: Anderson KE, McGinty EE, Presskreischer R .
Reports of forgone medical care among US adults during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.
JAMA Netw Open 2021 Jan 4;4(1):e2034882. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.34882..
Keywords: COVID-19, Access to Care, Healthcare Utilization, Public Health, Infectious Diseases
Puglisi LB, Malloy GSP, Harvey TD
Estimation of COVID-19 basic reproduction ratio in a large urban jail in the United States.
The purpose of this study was to estimate the basic reproduction ratio () of SARS-CoV-2 inside a correctional facility early in the COVID-19 pandemic. The investigators concluded that the high of SARS-CoV-2 in a large urban jail highlighted the importance of including correctional facilities in public health strategies for COVID-19. The investigators suggested that in the absence of more aggressive mitigation strategies, correctional facilities will continue to contribute to community infections.
AHRQ-funded; HS026128.
Citation: Puglisi LB, Malloy GSP, Harvey TD .
Estimation of COVID-19 basic reproduction ratio in a large urban jail in the United States.
Ann Epidemiol 2021 Jan;53:103-05. doi: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2020.09.002..
Keywords: COVID-19, Public Health, Vulnerable Populations, Prevention, Infectious Diseases
Bramante CT, Ingraham NE, Murray TA
Metformin and risk of mortality in patients hospitalised with COVID-19: a retrospective cohort analysis.
This study examined whether metformin use by patients with diagnosed with type 2 diabetes had reduced mortality when hospitalized for COVID-19. Pharmacy claims data from UnitedHealth Group’s Clinical Discovery Claims Database was used. Patient data were included if they were aged 18 years or older; had type 2 diabetes or obesity (defined based on claims); at least 6 months of continuous enrolment in 2019; and admission to hospital for COVID-19 confirmed by PCR; manual chart review by UHG; or reported from the hospital to UHG. Metformin was not associated with significant reduction in mortality among men, but there was an association with decreased mortality in women.
AHRQ-funded; HS026379.
Citation: Bramante CT, Ingraham NE, Murray TA .
Metformin and risk of mortality in patients hospitalised with COVID-19: a retrospective cohort analysis.
Lancet Healthy Longev 2021 Jan;2(1):e34-e41. doi: 10.1016/s2666-7568(20)30033-7..
Keywords: COVID-19, Hospitalization, Medication, Mortality, Risk, Diabetes, Chronic Conditions, Public Health, Infectious Diseases
Montoya A, Jenq G, Mills JP
Partnering with local hospitals and public health to manage COVID-19 outbreaks in nursing homes.
In this study, the authors described, among short-term and long-term residents at three nursing homes (NHs) in Michigan, the outbreak identification process, universal testing, point prevalence of COVID-19, and subsequent containment efforts, outcomes, and challenges. They found that proactive and coordinated steps between NH medical directors and administrators, referral hospitals including their laboratories, and local public health officials were necessary to respond rapidly to an outbreak and to limit the transmission of COVID-19. They suggested that this coordinated public health approach may save lives, minimize the burden to the healthcare system, and reduce healthcare costs.
AHRQ-funded; HS025451.
Citation: Montoya A, Jenq G, Mills JP .
Partnering with local hospitals and public health to manage COVID-19 outbreaks in nursing homes.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2021 Jan;69(1):30-36. doi: 10.1111/jgs.16869..
Keywords: Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Long-Term Care, Public Health, COVID-19, Elderly, Infectious Diseases
Selden TM, Berdahl TA
AHRQ Author: Selden TM, Berdahl TA
Risk of severe COVID-19 among workers and their household members.
Using prepandemic MEPS data, the investigators examined the prevalence of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) risk factors for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). They then estimated how many adults at increased risk of severe COVID-19 held essential jobs and could not work at home (WAH) or who lived in households with such workers.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Selden TM, Berdahl TA .
Risk of severe COVID-19 among workers and their household members.
JAMA Intern Med 2021 Jan;181(1):120-22. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.6249..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), COVID-19, Risk, Public Health, Infectious Diseases
Balikai SC, Badheka A, Casey A
Simulation to train pediatric ICU teams in endotracheal intubation of patients with COVID-19.
This paper describes the outcomes of pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) simulation training to safely perform endotracheal intubations in children with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Confidence levels before and after training was measured using the Simulation Effectiveness Tool-Modified (SET-M, Likert scale 0-2). Fifty unique PICU staff members participated in 9 simulation sessions and mean confidences scores increased from 0.9 to 2.
AHRQ-funded; HS026965.
Citation: Balikai SC, Badheka A, Casey A .
Simulation to train pediatric ICU teams in endotracheal intubation of patients with COVID-19.
Pediatr Qual Saf 2021 Jan-Feb;6(1):e373. doi: 10.1097/pq9.0000000000000373..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, COVID-19, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Critical Care, Simulation, Training, Public Health, Infectious Diseases
Lee BY, Bartsch SM, Ferguson MC
The value of decreasing the duration of the infectious period of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.
Researchers developed a computational model of the U.S. simulating the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and the potential clinical and economic impact of reducing the infectious period duration. They reported that their study quantifies the potential effects of reducing the SARS-CoV-2 infectious period duration.
AHRQ-funded; HS023317.
Citation: Lee BY, Bartsch SM, Ferguson MC .
The value of decreasing the duration of the infectious period of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.
PLoS Comput Biol 2021 Jan;17(1):e1008470. doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1008470..
Keywords: COVID-19, Respiratory Conditions, Public Health, Prevention, Infectious Diseases
Byrnes ME, Varlamos CJ, Rivard SJ
"You're used to being the one that can fix things…": a qualitative snapshot of colorectal surgeons during COVID-19.
This viewpoint article reflects the narratives of 58 colorectal surgeons who engaged in an in-depth qualitative interview during the COVID-19 shutdown of elective surgeries. The goal for reporting these findings is to offer a snapshot of surgeon perspectives on the delays of elective surgeries and to give voice to surgeons who were unable to perform most or all their duties as a surgeon.
AHRQ-funded; HS025365; HS000053.
Citation: Byrnes ME, Varlamos CJ, Rivard SJ .
"You're used to being the one that can fix things…": a qualitative snapshot of colorectal surgeons during COVID-19.
Dis Colon Rectum 2020 Dec;63(12):1575-78. doi: 10.1097/dcr.0000000000001818..
Keywords: Surgery, Provider: Physician, Provider, COVID-19, Public Health, Infectious Diseases
Selden TM, Berdahl TA, Fang Z
AHRQ Author: Selden TM, Berdahl TA, Fang Z
The risk of severe COVID-19 within households of school employees and school-age children.
Across the United States, school districts are grappling with questions of whether and how to reopen elementary and secondary schools in the 2020-21 academic year. Using pre-pandemic household data, the authors examined how often persons at risk of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were connected to schools, either as employees or by living in the same households as school employees or school-age children.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Selden TM, Berdahl TA, Fang Z .
The risk of severe COVID-19 within households of school employees and school-age children.
Health Aff 2020 Nov;39(11):2002-09. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2020.01536..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Children/Adolescents, COVID-19, Public Health, Risk, Infectious Diseases
Fan T, Palma M
AHRQ Author: Fan T
Behavioral counseling interventions to prevent sexually transmitted infections.
This case study of a 24-year-old cisgender woman presents three questions with answers concerning USPSTF recommendations about sexually transmitted infections and counseling.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Fan T, Palma M .
Behavioral counseling interventions to prevent sexually transmitted infections.
Am Fam Physician 2020 Nov 15;102(10):623-24..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases, Public Health, Prevention, Case Study, Guidelines
Misra-Hebert AD, Ji X, Nowacki AS
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers' risk of infection and outcomes in a large, integrated health system.
Researchers assessed healthcare workers (HCW) risk for COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Participants were individuals who had tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection in a large academic healthcare system. The study found that, in a large healthcare system, HCW had similar odds for testing positive, but lower odds of hospitalization, compared to non-HCW. Patient-facing HCW had higher odds of a positive test.
AHRQ-funded; HS024128.
Citation: Misra-Hebert AD, Ji X, Nowacki AS .
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers' risk of infection and outcomes in a large, integrated health system.
J Gen Intern Med 2020 Nov;35(11):3293-301. doi: 10.1007/s11606-020-06171-9..
Keywords: COVID-19, Risk, Provider: Health Personnel, Public Health, Healthcare Delivery, Infectious Diseases
Chou R, Dana T, Jungbauer R
Masks for prevention of respiratory virus infections, including SARS-CoV-2, in health care and community settings : a living rapid review.
This study examined the effectiveness of N95, surgical, and cloth masks in community and health care settings for preventing respiratory virus infections, including coronavirus. The effects of reuse or extended use of N95 masks was also studied. The authors used multiple electronic databases, including the World Health Organization COVID-19 database and medRxiv preprint server (2003 through 2020), and reference lists. Randomized trials of masks and risks for respiratory virus infection were included. The studies were abstracted and methodological limitations were assessed by one reviewer, with a second reviewer providing verification. Thirty-nine studies with 33,867 participants were included. No studies were found that evaluated reuse or extended use of N95 masks. The studies showed that COVID-19 and MERS probably decreased with use versus nonuse and possibly decreased with N95 versus surgical mask use. Random trials in community settings found not much difference between N95 versus surgical masks. The studies’ findings were not definitive.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500009I.
Citation: Chou R, Dana T, Jungbauer R .
Masks for prevention of respiratory virus infections, including SARS-CoV-2, in health care and community settings : a living rapid review.
Ann Intern Med 2020 Oct 6;173(7):542-55. doi: 10.7326/m20-3213..
Keywords: COVID-19, Respiratory Conditions, Infectious Diseases, Prevention, Public Health, Evidence-Based Practice
Bartsch SM, O'Shea KJ, Ferguson MC
Vaccine efficacy needed for a COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine to prevent or stop an epidemic as the sole intervention.
This study examined the needed efficacy and coverage of a COVID-19 vaccine to prevent or stop the pandemic. Simulation experiments were conducted at 60-80% efficacy rates. At 60% efficacy, vaccination coverage needs to be 100%. If the coverage rate is reduced to 75%, the efficacy needs to be 70% and up to 80% when coverage drops to 60%. These findings show that the vaccine needs to have at least an efficacy rate of 70% to prevent an epidemic and at least 80% to extinguish an epidemic without any other measures such as social distancing.
AHRQ-funded; HS023317.
Citation: Bartsch SM, O'Shea KJ, Ferguson MC .
Vaccine efficacy needed for a COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine to prevent or stop an epidemic as the sole intervention.
Am J Prev Med 2020 Oct;59(4):493-503. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2020.06.011..
Keywords: Vaccination, COVID-19, Public Health, Prevention, Evidence-Based Practice, Infectious Diseases