Combining Influenza and COVID-19 Booster Vaccination Strategy to Improve Vaccination Uptake Necessary for Managing the Health Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background: The uptake of COVID-19 booster vaccines has been significantly low. Therefore, it is questionable whether combining the COVID-19 booster vaccines with Influenza vaccines can increase the population's interest in taking such vaccines and manage the health pandemic effectively. Methodology: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, a synthesis of the findings and summary of a total of 30 research articles based on the topic, ‘combining influenza and COVID-19 booster vaccination strategy’ was undertaken. The research articles were identified from three databases, namely, PubMed, Cochran Library, and Google Scholar using specific keywords and inclusion criteria. However, research articles that were not peer-reviewed and not published in English were excluded from the systematic review and meta-analysis. The average risk ratio of the included articles was 0.78% based on a 95% CI. On the other hand, the heterogeneity between such studies was I2 = 35%, while the statistical significance of their findings occurred at p < 0.05. The average p-value of the included research studies was p = 0.62, implying that the null hypothesis was not rejected in almost all the studies. Results: A synthesis of the chosen research articles revealed that when influenza and COVID-19 booster vaccines are combined, there is potential for an increase in the uptake of the latter, mainly because many populations have already been accustomed to taking influenza vaccines on an annual basis. Conclusions: In this way, through such findings, medical health experts can make informed decisions to increase the population's willingness to receive the COVID-19 booster vaccines.

Setting up and managing the largest COVID-19 mass vaccination center in Lombardy, Italy

“…The decline in vaccinations followed the decrease in the number of positive cases in Lombardy starting in February 2022. Vaccination rates peaked twice: once between December 2021 and January 2022 when booster shots became available for children under age 18 years and adolescents aged 12 to 15; (31) then again when possession of the so-called Green Pass COVID-19 became mandatory (32) from the summer to the autumn of 2022, during which a second booster was recommended for adults ≥60 years, (33, 34) and fines were issued to anyone who did not complete the vaccination cycle, (35) as well as the deployment of mRNA vaccine (bivalent Original/Omicron BA.1). The number of SARS-CoV-2-positive cases in Lombardy and the daily dose rates declined after 1 November 2022 when vaccination was no longer mandatory (36).…”