February COVID-19 Behaviors Newsletter

New data on the COVID Behaviors Dashboard indicate that people in most countries are currently hungry for information about COVID-19 variants and treatment. As the surge of cases brought by the omicron variant fades in France, India, the United States and elsewhere, countries like Chile, Norway, and Malaysia are still at or approaching their peaks.

Explore how key data points on the dashboard—such as masking behaviors and structural barriers to vaccination—have changed in this most recent period.

Source: February COVID-19 Behaviors Newsletter

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    New COVID Behaviors Reports January 2022 update

    Omicron continued to impact COVID-19 testing and positivity rates in the Jan 1-15 data period, with 30% or more of respondents in the United States, South Africa, Paraguay, and elsewhere reporting that they have tested positive for COVID-19 in the previous 14 days.

    Explore how key prevention behaviors—such as masking and vaccination—have changed in this most recent data period on the COVID Behaviors Dashboard.

    Source: New COVID Behaviors Reports January 2022 update

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      Research brief: Barriers to COVID-19 prevention behaviors in Côte d’Ivoire

      This research brief, available in both English and French, summarizes the results of a qualitative study examining barriers to a range of COVID-19 prevention behaviors early on in the COVID-19 pandemic in late 2020.

      The study included individual interviews (IDIs) with COVID-19 survivors, individuals who lost a family member to the disease, and health workers. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were also conducted with members of the general population to explore social norms and community perceptions related to COVID-19.

      Source: Research brief: Barriers to COVID-19 prevention behaviors in Côte d’Ivoire

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        Journalistic routines as factors promoting COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Pakistan

        COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy has reportedly been rising in polio-stricken Pakistan. Prior research reports a variety of contributing factors including information sources, particularly the newspapers readers generally consult to stay abreast of vaccine roll-out developments. This viewpoint article argues that three commonly practised journalistic routines – as explicated by Tandoc and Duffy – are promoting COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among Urdu-language newspaper readers in Pakistan.

        Source: Journalistic routines as factors promoting COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Pakistan

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          Opinion leaders in Malawi promoting the COVID-19 vaccine

          Three opinion leaders were featured in the social posters: Bishop Martin Mtumbuka of Roman Catholic – Karonga Diocese, Honorable Fred Kazombo, MP and Deputy Speaker of Parliament, and Sheikh Omar Nkachelenga of Blantyre Islamic Movement. Social media posters are in the Chichewa language.

          Source: Opinion leaders in Malawi promoting the COVID-19 vaccine

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            COVID-19 Communication Strategy India

            This strategy will serve as guidelines for implementation of National, state and District communication activities providing information on the COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination process to people across the country to generate awareness and to improve acceptance and uptake of vaccine.

            The document will address issues of vaccine eagerness, vaccine hesitancy, provide information on new COVID-19 vaccines and reiterate to continue adherence to COVID appropriate behavior. It will also develop trust and greater confidence of people in vaccine by managing myths and misinformation.

            Source: COVID-19 Communication Strategy India

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              ‘Learn from the lessons and don’t forget them’: identifying transferable lessons for COVID-19 from meningitis A, yellow fever and Ebola virus disease vaccination campaigns

              Low and middle-income countries (LMICs) have significant experience implementing vaccination campaigns to respond to epidemic threats but are often hindered by chronic health system challenges. We sought to identify transferable lessons for COVID-19 vaccination from the rollout of three vaccines that targeted adult groups in Africa and South America: MenAfriVac (meningitis A); 17D (yellow fever) and rVSV-ZEBOV (Ebola virus disease).

              Source: ‘Learn from the lessons and don’t forget them’: identifying transferable lessons for COVID-19 from meningitis A, yellow fever and Ebola virus disease vaccination campaigns

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                WHO Vaccine Equity Information Page

                This page, on the World Health Organization’s website, explains that we need to prioritize vaccinating higher risk people and health care workers in middle to low-income countries in order to save as many lives as possible and to end the pandemic.

                Source: WHO Vaccine Equity Information Page

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                  COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among PLWH in South India: Implications for Vaccination Campaigns

                  India recently experienced an unprecedented transmission surge, likely fueled by a premature reopening, the highly transmissible delta variant, and low vaccination rates. Indian media have reported high degrees of vaccine hesitancy, which could interfere with efforts to prevent future surges, making it crucial to better understand the reasons for such reluctance in vulnerable populations, such as people living with HIV.

                  Source: COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among PLWH in South India: Implications for Vaccination Campaigns

                    Views 627