The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is a major global health threat to human civilization and has disrupted many aspects of the community around the globe. Vaccination is one of the prominent measures to control the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 120 vaccines have entered human clinical trials and at least 8 vaccines have been fully approved. However, the success of the COVID-19 vaccination programs depends on how the community accepts the vaccines. Despite COVID-19 vaccination having been initiated for a while now, more than 50% of the global population have not been vaccinated. In some low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the vaccine coverage is less than 20%. Since the decision to accept the new vaccine is complex, understanding the factors underpinning vaccine acceptance is critical. This review aimed to summarize the COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate around the globe as well as its associated determinants. Information from this study might be important to formulate effective strategies to increase the COVID-19 vaccine coverage, and to be able to achieve herd immunity.

Background Colchicine has been used an effective anti-inflammatory drug to treat gout diseases. Owing to its pharmacodynamic of inhibiting interleukins, it has been repurposed to target the cytokine storm post-SARS-CoV-2 invasion. The goal of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the safety profile of colchicine in COVID-19 patients using the gold-standard randomised-control trials. Methods Electronic databases (Pubmed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane) were systematically searched until June 2021 and RCTs were extracted. Outcomes of interest included all-cause mortality, COVID-19 severity, mechanical ventilation, C-reactive protein and D-dimer levels. Using a random-effects model, dichotomous outcomes were pooled using odds ratios (OR) through the generic inverse variance formula while weighted mean differences were calculated using the Wan’s method. P-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant for all outcomes. Results A total population of 16,048 from five RCTs were included in the analysis. Of this, 7957 were randomized to colchicine, and 8091 received standard care, with an average age of 60.67 years. Colchicine was observed to significantly reduce COVID-19 severity (OR: 0.41, 95% CI [0.22, 0.76]; p = 0.005), and CRP levels (WMD: -19.99, 95% CI [-32.09, -7.89]; p = 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in D-dimer levels (WMD: 0.31, 95% CI [-0.61, 1.23]; p = 0.51), mechanical ventilation (OR: 0.42, 95% CI [0.17, 1.03]; p = 0.06; I2 = 74%) and all-cause mortality (OR: 0.98, 95% CI [0.83, 1.16]; p = 0.84) among patients receiving colchicine or standard care. Conclusion Colchicine treatment decreased CRP levels and COVID-19 severity, with dimer levels, all-cause mortality and mechanical ventilation remaining seemingly unaffected. Thus, clinical trials need to be carried out that allow effective evaluation of colchicine in COVID-19 patients.

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