Objective: To determine the predictors of acceptance and willingness to pay (WTP) for the COVID-19 vaccine among the Indian public and to provide insights for future demand forecasts and pricing considerations. Methods: A nationwide, web-based, self-administered, cross-sectional survey was conducted from 5 to 20 October 2020. The health belief model (HBM) approach was used as a theoretical framework to assess the predictors of acceptance of and WTP for the COVID-19 vaccine. Results: Of 2 480 respondents, 2 451 completed the online survey, yielding a response rate of 98.8%. Participants who participated in the survey had diverse demographics in terms of their location, educational level, occupation type, and family income. Among 2 451 respondents, the majority (89.3%) intended to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Respondents with high perceived benefits of COVID-19 vaccination, such as reduction in worry (OR 5.87; 95% CI 4.39-7.96) and sickness (OR 4.31; 95% CI 3.31-5.62), showed higher intention to receive the vaccine. However, respondents with a high perception of the side effects and barriers to vaccination (OR 0.36; 95% CI 0.25-0.54) and vaccine shortage (OR 0.58; 95% CI 0.41-0.81) showed lower intention to receive the vaccine. The majority (2 162, 88.21%) of respondents were willing to pay an amount of INR: 500-1 000 or USD: 6.81-13.62 for a dose of COVID-19 vaccine, with a median (Q1, Q3) of INR: 500 (500, 1 000) or USD: 6.81 (6.81, 13.62). The higher marginal WTP for the COVID-19 vaccine was influenced by advanced age, marital status, female sex, intermediate educational background, high family income, fair or poor perceived health status, and no affordable barriers. Conclusions: The majority of respondents intended to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Healthcare interventions focusing on HBM constructs and demographic predictors associated with low intention to receive the vaccine can be effective in enhancing the coverage of the COVID-19 vaccine. The findings of this study provide guidance for the future price considerations of the COVID-19 vaccine.

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Currently, there is no availability of any proven specific treatment or prevention strategy to fight against COVID-19. Convalescent plasma (CP) therapy is expected to increase survival rates in COVID-19 as in the case of emerging viral infection (SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV). To collect all the studies relevant to CP therapy in critically ill or severe COVID-19 patients and summarize the findings. The systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA consensus statement. A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases on April 25, 2020. A total of six studies (28 patients) relevant to CP therapy in severe or critical COVID-19 are considered for inclusion. Two authors extracted the data about study characteristics, demographics, symptoms, co-morbidities, clinical classification of COVID-19, drug therapies, oxygen therapy, laboratory results, chest CT, neutralizing antibody titer, SARS-CoV-2 RNA load, aal outcome. The review findings revealed that CP therapy increases lymphocyte count, reduced s serum inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6, Procalcitonin) and liver enzyme levels (AST or ALT). There was a rise in serum neutralizing antibody titers in 10 of 14 patients after CP transfusion. In 4 of 14 patients, the titer levels remain unchanged after CP transfusion. All 28 cases (100%) achieved negative to the SARS-CoV-2 RNA after CP transfusion. The convalescent plasma transfusion can improve neutralizing antibody titers and reduces the viral load in severe/critical COVID-19 patients. The review recommends a well-controlled trial design is required to give a definite statement on the safety and efficacy of convalescent plasma therapy in severe/critical COVID-19.

The novel coronavirus (COVID-2019) has spread very rapidly all over the globe, causing an outbreak of acute infectious pneumonia. This pandemic brought not only the risk of death but also psychological pressure on people and remarkably on college students. To assess the psychological impact of COVID-19 on college students. A web-based cross-sectional study was conducted on college students studying diploma, graduation, and post-graduation irrespective of their gender was included in the study.  The data was collected through online mode by providing links to fill google form.  The survey tool was disseminated in various messenger groups and social media networks.  The survey tool comprises demographics, COVID-19 stressors, generalized anxiety disorder scale (GAD 7), and patient health questionnaire (PHQ 9) scale. Chi-square was used to find the association between demographic characters with anxiety and depression. 443 students participated in this web-based survey. Among all participants, 44.25% were normal range, 31.38% are mild anxiety, 18.97% were moderate anxiety, and 5.42% were severe anxiety.  Results also indicated that there were 37.25% participants were in normal range, about 27% were mild depression, 22.13% moderate depression, 7.45% moderately severe depression and 6.1% severe depression. All the variables other than gender, place of residence, and steady family income were significantly associated with anxiety, whereas gender and place of residence variables were not significantly associated with depression. To conclude, the mental health of college students was significantly affected by the pandemic. More help and support from society, families and colleges would be supportive to them. It is suggested that the government and colleges should collaborate to resolve this problem by providing high-quality, timely crisis oriented psychological services to college students.