Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Gilbert T. Chua, Cheung Lok Yan, Wilfred H. S. Wong, Siddharth Sridhar, Kelvin Kw To, Joseph Lau, Sharmila Gurung, Shalini Mahtani, Raymond Ho, Wing Sum Li, Jason Cs Yam, Jaime S. Rosa Duque, Ian C. K. Wong, Yu Lung Lau, Mike Yat Wah Kwan, Patrick Ip
Summary: This study investigated the COVID-19 vaccination rates and factors associated with vaccine acceptance among ethnic minorities in Hong Kong. The results showed that 80.6% of participants were categorized as vaccine acceptance, and 69.2% were willing to be re-vaccinated. Filipinos had a higher vaccine acceptance rate compared to Indonesians. Education level, COVID-19 knowledge score, information source, and confidence in judging information accuracy were factors positively influencing vaccine acceptance.
HUMAN VACCINES & IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Cindy Yue Tian, Phoenix Kit-Han Mo, Dong Dong, Hong Qiu, Annie Wai-Ling Cheung, Eliza Lai-Yi Wong
Summary: This study investigates the impact of health literacy and trust in health information on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among Chinese Hong Kong adults. A cross-sectional study was conducted in August 2022, with 401 participants completing the study. The findings demonstrate that inadequate functional health literacy, adequate critical health literacy, and low-level trust in government health information are associated with delaying the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, individuals with adequate interactive health literacy and inadequate critical health literacy are more likely to delay the booster dose, while trust in government health information suppresses the negative association between critical health literacy and vaccination.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sam S. S. Lau, Eric N. Y. Shum, Jackie O. T. Man, Ethan T. H. Cheung, Padmore Adusei Amoah, Angela Y. M. Leung, Kevin Dadaczynski, Orkan Okan
Summary: This study assessed COVID-19-specific health literacy among school teachers in Hong Kong, finding that 50.8% had sufficient health literacy, while 38.3% had problematic health literacy and 10.9% had inadequate health literacy. Teachers with sufficient health literacy exhibited better work behaviors and attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination. Age and number of teaching hours per week were significant predictors of health literacy level.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Yan Li, Mengqi Li, Lin Yang, Daniel Bressington, Sau-Fong Leung, Yao-Jie Xie, Jing Qin, Alex Molasiotis, Angela Leung
Summary: The emergence of new coronavirus variants and waning immunity from COVID-19 vaccines highlight the importance of regular vaccination. Vaccine hesitancy is a major global health threat, yet little is known about the hesitancy towards regular COVID-19 vaccination. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and determinants of hesitancy for regular COVID-19 vaccination.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Phyllis Lun, Ke Ning, Yishan Wang, Tiffany S. W. Ma, Francis P. Flores, Xiao Xiao, Mythily Subramaniam, Edimansyah Abdin, Linwei Tian, Tim K. Tsang, Kathy Leung, Joseph T. Wu, Benjamin J. Cowling, Gabriel M. Leung, Michael Y. Ni
Summary: This study tracks COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and uptake in Hong Kong and Singapore, and finds that trust in health authorities is crucial in overcoming vaccine hesitancy. Additionally, the study finds that workplace vaccine mandates and vaccine passes can significantly increase daily vaccination appointments.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Saba Asim, Kailu Wang, Elena Nichini, Faustina Fu Yip, Liling Zhu, Hin Chung Eddy Fung, Yan Zeng, Zhilan Fang, Annie Wai-Ling Cheung, Eliza Lai-yi Wong, Dong Dong, Eng-Kiong Yeoh
Summary: This study aims to investigate the preferences of migrants regarding COVID-19 vaccines and their relationship with individual factors. Data was collected through an online discrete choice experiment (DCE) and analyzed using statistical methods. The study found that migrants with longer local residential years, lower education level, and lower income were more likely to refuse vaccination. However, the BioNTech vaccine, vaccines with higher efficacy and lower adverse event rates, and quarantine exemption for cross-border travelers were factors that could increase vaccination likelihood among migrants.
JMIR PUBLIC HEALTH AND SURVEILLANCE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Christopher Justin Jacobi, Brandon Vaidyanathan
Summary: This study reveals a significant impact of the intersection of race and religion on individuals' attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccinations in the US, with a notable disparity between African Americans and White Americans even when controlling for other factors. Additionally, religiosity is negatively associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance across racial groups.
Article
Immunology
Kailu Wang, Eliza Lai-Yi Wong, Kin-Fai Ho, Annie Wai-Ling Cheung, Peter Sen-Yung Yau, Dong Dong, Samuel Yeung-Shan Wong, Eng-Kiong Yeoh
Summary: The study found a decreasing trend in willingness to accept the COVID-19 vaccine, with increasing concerns about vaccine safety and growing compliance of personal protection behaviors being the main reasons. Clerical/service/sales workers were less likely to accept the vaccine compared to other occupations. It is suggested that more education and favorable policies should be provided to the general working population for vaccination, especially for those who are not professional and are frequently exposed to crowds.
Letter
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Eva Yi Hung Lau, Jian-Bin Li, Derwin King Chung Chan
Summary: The study aims to examine the intention of Hong Kong parents to vaccinate young children against COVID-19 and provide insights for the development of an effective child COVID-19 vaccine program. This large-scale survey was conducted during the fifth wave of the outbreak.
HUMAN VACCINES & IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS
(2022)
Editorial Material
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Wilfred Hing-sang Wong, Hung-kwan So, Jaime S. Rosa Duque, Winnie Wan-yee Tso, Patrick Chun-yin Chong, Mike Yat-wah Kwan, Yu-lung Lau
Summary: Parental vaccine hesitancy is a barrier to high vaccination uptake among children, but can be reduced through focused educational seminars. Creating a forum for open communication between parents and medical experts can help address vaccination concerns and other health emergencies.
HUMAN VACCINES & IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Paul Shing-fong Chan, Marco Lok-tin Lee, Yuan Fang, Fuk-yuen Yu, Danhua Ye, Siyu Chen, Joseph Kawuki, Xue Liang, Zixin Wang
Summary: A study in Hong Kong found that about half of older adults were hesitant to receive a second COVID-19 vaccine booster dose. Factors associated with lower vaccine hesitancy included perceived benefits, cues to action, and perceived self-efficacy, while perceived barriers and vaccine fatigue were associated with higher vaccine hesitancy.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Kristi Yoonsup Lee, Saudamini Vishwanath Dabak, Vivian Hanxiao Kong, Minah Park, Shirley L. L. Kwok, Madison Silzle, Chayapat Rachatan, Alex Cook, Aly Passanante, Ed Pertwee, Zhengdong Wu, Javier A. Elkin, Heidi J. Larson, Eric H. Y. Lau, Kathy Leung, Joseph T. Wu, Leesa Lin
Summary: Chatbots have become popular in health services and communications, but few studies have evaluated their effectiveness in improving vaccine confidence and acceptance. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in Thailand, Hong Kong, and Singapore, comparing the effects of COVID-19 vaccine chatbots on confidence and acceptance among unvaccinated individuals. The results showed mixed success, with decreased confidence in vaccine effectiveness in Thailand, decreased vaccine acceptance in Hong Kong, and decreased vaccine confidence in safety in Singapore. Process evaluation indicated support for vaccine chatbots, but further studies are needed to link chatbot usage and real-world vaccine uptake.
NPJ DIGITAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zhanwei Du, Lin Wang, Songwei Shan, Dickson Lam, Tim K. Tsang, Jingyi Xiao, Huizhi Gao, Bingyi Yang, Sheikh Taslim Ali, Sen Pei, Isaac Chun-Hai Fung, Eric H. Y. Lau, Qiuyan Liao, Peng Wu, Lauren Ancel Meyers, Gabriel M. Leung, Benjamin J. Cowling
Summary: Hong Kong has implemented strict measures to control the COVID-19 epidemic waves, but the impact of these measures has been reduced in the fourth wave due to pandemic fatigue. Through telephone surveys and mathematical models, the study analyzes the impact of pandemic fatigue on risk perception and self-protective behaviors, highlighting the importance of mitigating pandemic fatigue in controlling the spread of COVID-19.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Matthew Lee, Emily Miao, Bruce Rapkin, Balazs Halmos, Viswanathan Shankar, Sanjay Goel
Summary: This exploratory study finds that most ethnic minority cancer patients are receptive to COVID-19 vaccines, with a majority being vaccinated. However, concerns about side effects and perception that COVID-19 is not harmful contribute to vaccine hesitancy in this group. These findings can inform future vaccine awareness strategies for ethnic minority cancer patients.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Eva Yi Hung Lau, Jian-Bin Li, Derwin King Chung Chan
Summary: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is high among parents in Hong Kong, with higher willingness for vaccination when more vaccine choices are available, followed by school resumption considerations, and least willingness when there are policy restrictions. Additionally, parents with higher education backgrounds and family income are less willing to vaccinate their children.
HUMAN VACCINES & IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jinqiu Yuan, Bolin Cao, Changhua Zhang, Paul Shing-fong Chan, Meiqi Xin, Yuan Fang, Yaoxi Chen, Dongfeng Huang, Lifang Li, Xujun Xuan, Gengpeng Zhang, Yihang Pan, Yulong He, Zixin Wang
Summary: This study investigated the changes in compliance with personal preventive measures, depressive symptoms, and sleep quality among Chinese factory workers within a 3-month follow-up period. The results showed a decline in facemask wearing and household disinfection, but an improvement in avoiding crowded places and sleep quality. Mental health problems were uncommon among the workers during the pandemic.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Xin Xiao, Xue Yang, Weiran Zheng, Bingyi Wang, Leiwen Fu, Dan Luo, Yuqing Hu, Niu Ju, Hui Xu, Yuan Fang, Paul Shing Fong Chan, Zhijie Xu, Ping Chen, Jiaoling He, Hongqiong Zhu, Huiwen Tang, Dixi Huang, Zhongsi Hong, Yanrong Hao, Lianying Cai, Shupei Ye, Jianhui Yuan, Fei Xiao, Jianrong Yang, Zixin Wang, Huachun Zou
Summary: The study investigated depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic growth (PTG) among COVID-19 survivors and their correlates. The results suggest that post-hospitalisation and psychosocial factors had relatively stronger associations with depression, anxiety, and PTG.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOTRAUMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Applied
Lilian Chau, Mantak Yuen, Paul Chan, Sylvia Liu, Kit Chan, Diana Lee, Wu-Ying Hsieh
Summary: Fostering children's social competence is crucial for their development. In Hong Kong, a play-based training programme was launched to support parents in using group games to enhance children's social skills, and the results showed positive improvements.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF GUIDANCE & COUNSELLING
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Shi Zhao, Marc K. C. Chong, Sukhyun Ryu, Zihao Guo, Mu He, Boqiang Chen, Salihu S. Musa, Jingxuan Wang, Yushan Wu, Daihai He, Maggie H. Wang
Summary: In the context of infectious disease transmission, superspreading phenomena can be better characterized by a Delaporte distribution model compared to the traditional negative binomial (NB) distribution, providing improvements in describing the distributions of COVID-19 and SARS cases. Population-wide interventions are suggested as the primary strategy for controlling disease transmission during the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by high-risk-specific control strategies to lower the risk of superspreading.
PLOS COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Zixin Wang, Yuan Fang, Fuk-yuen Yu, Paul Shing-fong Chan, Siyu Chen, Fenghua Sun
Summary: This study investigated the facilitators and barriers to COVID-19 vaccine booster dose uptake among older adults in Hong Kong. The results showed that positive attitudes, support from significant others, reduced concerns, and helpfulness of governmental promotional materials were associated with higher uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine booster dose among older adults.
Article
Immunology
Kechun Zhang, Xue Liang, Karen Lau Wa Tam, Joseph Kawuki, Paul Shing-fong Chan, Siyu Chen, Yuan Fang, He Cao, Xiaofeng Zhou, Yaqi Chen, Tian Hu, Hongbiao Chen, Zixin Wang
Summary: China is considering vaccinating children aged 6-35 months against COVID-19. A study conducted among parents of children in this age group investigated the changes in COVID-19 vaccine acceptability and associated factors. The study found that parental acceptability of the vaccine increased significantly from 66.8% to 79.5% between 2020 and 2021. Positive attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control were associated with higher acceptability, while negative attitudes were negatively associated with acceptability in the second round. Exposure to information on social media did not significantly impact parental acceptability. Expanding vaccination programs to include children in this age group is necessary in China, and efforts should focus on modifying parents' perceptions to promote vaccine acceptance.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Zixin Wang, Yuan Fang, Paul Shing-Fong Chan, Fuk Yuen Yu, Fenghua Sun
Summary: This study compared the levels and barriers of physical activity among community-dwelling older adults in Hong Kong during and after the fifth wave of the COVID-19 outbreak. The findings showed that the level of physical activity increased and barriers decreased in the second round of survey. Regular monitoring of physical activity level and associated factors is important for health promotion and policy-making.
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Hong Yat Conrad Wong, Saba Asim, Qi Feng, Sherry Xiao-hong Fu, Daljit Singh Sahota, Po Lam So, Dong Dong
Summary: This study assessed the effectiveness of interactive digital decision aids (IDDAs) on pregnant women's decision-making regarding prenatal screening. The results showed that IDDAs can improve pregnant women's knowledge and decrease decisional conflict in prenatal screening, but caution is needed in interpreting the results.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Joseph Kawuki, Siyu Chen, Yuan Fang, Xue Liang, Paul Shing-fong Chan, Zixin Wang
Summary: This systematic review summarises the literature on COVID-19 vaccination among slum and underserved communities. The review identified 24 relevant studies with over 30,000 participants. The acceptance rate for the vaccine was 58%, the uptake rate was 23%, and the hesitancy rate was 29%. Factors such as age, education level, gender, and ethnicity/race were associated with acceptance and uptake, although there were inconsistent results. Hesitancy was driven by safety and efficacy concerns, low-risk perception, distance to vaccination centers, and unfavorable vaccination schedules. Attitudes and perceptions towards COVID-19 vaccination varied, with existing misconceptions and negative beliefs acting as strong predictors of vaccination. The review highlights the need for infodemic management, continuous vaccine education, and targeted strategies for vulnerable populations.
Article
Immunology
Joseph Kawuki, Joweria Nambooze, Paul Shing-fong Chan, Siyu Chen, Xue Liang, Phoenix K. H. Mo, Zixin Wang
Summary: This study examined the completion of COVID-19 vaccination series in slum and estate communities of Uganda and identified associated factors. The study found that the completion rate of COVID-19 vaccination was higher in the slum community (43.8%) compared to the estate community (39.9%). Knowledge about COVID-19 and perceived benefits and cues to action were positively associated with vaccine completion in both communities. However, perceived barriers and depressive symptoms had negative associations with vaccine uptake in the slum community only.
Article
Immunology
Paul Shing-fong Chan, Marco Lok-tin Lee, Yuan Fang, Fuk-yuen Yu, Danhua Ye, Siyu Chen, Joseph Kawuki, Xue Liang, Zixin Wang
Summary: A study in Hong Kong found that about half of older adults were hesitant to receive a second COVID-19 vaccine booster dose. Factors associated with lower vaccine hesitancy included perceived benefits, cues to action, and perceived self-efficacy, while perceived barriers and vaccine fatigue were associated with higher vaccine hesitancy.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Saba Asim, Kailu Wang, Elena Nichini, Faustina Fu Yip, Liling Zhu, Hin Chung Eddy Fung, Yan Zeng, Zhilan Fang, Annie Wai-Ling Cheung, Eliza Lai-yi Wong, Dong Dong, Eng-Kiong Yeoh
Summary: This study aims to investigate the preferences of migrants regarding COVID-19 vaccines and their relationship with individual factors. Data was collected through an online discrete choice experiment (DCE) and analyzed using statistical methods. The study found that migrants with longer local residential years, lower education level, and lower income were more likely to refuse vaccination. However, the BioNTech vaccine, vaccines with higher efficacy and lower adverse event rates, and quarantine exemption for cross-border travelers were factors that could increase vaccination likelihood among migrants.
JMIR PUBLIC HEALTH AND SURVEILLANCE
(2023)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Joseph Kawuki, Paul Shing-fong Chan, Yuan Fang, Siyu Chen, Phoenix K. H. Mo, Zixin Wang
Summary: This systematic review examined the knowledge and practice of COVID-19 personal protective measures in African countries. The results showed variations in the knowledge and practice of PPMs among African communities, with lack of personal protective equipment and side effects as major barriers. Lower rates of handwashing and hand hygiene were observed, mainly due to the lack of safe water sources. There is a need to enhance local capacity for producing and supplying personal protective equipment and consider cognitive, demographic, and socioeconomic differences for more effective strategies.
JMIR PUBLIC HEALTH AND SURVEILLANCE
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Paul Shing-fong Chan, Yuan Fang, Joseph Kawuki, Siyu Chen, Xue Liang, Phoenix Kit-han Mo, Zixin Wang
Summary: This systematic review and meta-analysis examines parental acceptance, hesitancy, uptake, and associated factors of seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) among children aged 6-59 months. The study included 36 articles and found that the overall prevalence rates were 64% for parental acceptance, 34% for parental hesitancy, 41% for SIV uptake in the last flu season, and 46% for SIV uptake in a lifetime. Meta-regression analysis revealed regional differences in parental acceptance, with the Americas having a higher acceptance rate (79%) compared to Asia (60%).
Article
Immunology
Xue Liang, Jiming Li, Yuan Fang, Qingpeng Zhang, Martin C. S. Wong, Fuk-yuen Yu, Danhua Ye, Paul Shing-fong Chan, Joseph Kawuki, Siyu Chen, Phoenix K. H. Mo, Zixin Wang
Summary: This study investigated the associations of COVID-19 vaccination, perceptions related to COVID-19 and seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV), with the behavioural intention to receive SIV among older adults in Hong Kong, China. It found that concerns about the negative impact of SIV and COVID-19 vaccination on each other and the perceived risk of co-infection with COVID-19 and seasonal influenza were associated with the intention to receive SIV.