Objective: To see the prevalence and risk factors for post full vaccination (Sinopharm and Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines) weak immunity in persons with no history of viral exposure. Study Design: Prospective Observational. Setting: Syed Research Centre, Sialkot. Period: Nov 2021 to Feb 2022. Material & Methods: Eighty two individuals (male/female, aged: 24-70 years) were enrolled from District Sialkot (Pakistan). Two doses of Sinopharm or Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine were administered to each participant before blood sampling. The quantity of COVID-19 spike immunoglobulin G against SARS-CoV-2 (5-Antigen) was detected in serum using chemiluminescence immunoassay technique [threshold titer: 7.1 (detection), 105. 63 (seroprotection), 492.96 BAU/mL (strong humoral response)]. Results: Overall, 96.3% seropositivity, 89% seroprotection, and 37.8% (n = 31) weak immune response were recorded. Whereas, mean antibody titer was found to be 2312.02 (range: 0.0 – 28711.74) BAU/mL. A vaccinated male had approximately 4 folds (95%CI: 1.297 – 11.504; p = .002) more likelihood of weak immune response than females. Similarly, the rate of poor immunological outcome was higher in individuals with >24.9 Kg/m2 (69.2%, n = 27) body mass index compared to ≤24.9 Kg/m2. A person with Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine was more vulnerable to weak immune response than Sinovac vaccinated participants (RR = 2.351; 95%CI = 1.327 – 4.167; p .002; 57.6% vs. 24.5%, respectively). Co-occurrence of age (>47 years) and BMI (>24.9 Kg/m2) existed in 11 of 28 males (39.3%) with impaired immunogenicity. Conclusion: The high rate of post full vaccination weak immune response is alarming. Gender, BMI, and vaccine type were amongst the predictors for diminished humoral response.

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a common health problem in Pakistan and persistent diarrhea under two years of age is one of its major reasons. Objectives: To determine the frequency of IDA among children 1-2 years of age and to find its association with persistent diarrhea and parasitic infestation. Methods: In this hospital-based study, 345 children 1-2 years of age visiting OPD of Tehsil Headquarter Hospital, with persistent diarrhea were included. Socio-demographic characteristics of children and their parents collected with the questionnaire while total body iron stores determined by checking Hemoglobin (Hb), Serum Ferritin and Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) in the blood while parasitic infestation was determined by Ova and Cyst in the stool samples. Chi-square test was used to test association. Results: Out of total children, 55.9% children were bottle fed, weaning was started among 97.7% children at the age of 6 months, 44.9% had weight <8 kg, 53.0% children were anemic, had TIBC >450 µg/dl and serum ferritin level <7 ng/ml. The association of IDA with age, gender, mode of feeding, food allergies and vaccination history were significant while it was insignificant with persistent diarrhea and parasitic infestation. Conclusions: Study concluded that IDA was very frequent among children in less than 2 years of age and among contributing factors, lack of beast-feeding and diarrhea are important. Correlation was significant between IDA with age and feeding mode while association was insignificant with persistent diarrhea and parasitic infestation

Objective: To see the prevalence and potential predictors for side effects of Sinopharm and Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines among students of medical, and BS human nutrition and dietetics courses. Study Design: Cross-sectional Proforma-derived. Setting: Sialkot Medical College, Sialkot, Pakistan. Period: July and August, 2021. Material & Methods: Fifty students (MBBS = 30; Dietetics course = 20) with at least one dose of Sinopharm or Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine were recruited, purposively. The subjects were asked to report in an indigenously designed proforma on adverse effects using recall methodology for open time. Results: Forty nine subjects gave complete responses in the proforma. The rate of adverse effects increased from 75% (n = 3) against Sinopharm to 100% (n = 9) against Sinovac vaccine among 13 students of Dietetics who had only 1st dose. For rest of the 36 participants, the rate was found, as: 76.5% (n = 13) against each of the 1st and 2nd dose of Sinopharm; 78.9% (n = 15) against 1st and 68.4 (n = 13) against 2nd doses of Sinovac vaccine. The frequency of different adverse effects per individual ranged 1-3 (Sinopharm) or 1-4 (Sinovac). Whereas, lower rate of injection site pain was recorded on 1st dose of Sinopharm than Sinovac (52.9 vs 57.9%, respectively). None of the variables was noted as potential predictor for the side effects (p >.05). Conclusion: Sinopharm, and Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines exhibit almost similar prevalence of self-manageable side effects. Moreover, there is no predictor for the effects.