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Risk assessment of COVID-19 epidemic resurgence in relation to SARS-CoV-2 variants and vaccination passes

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  • Additional Information
    • Publication Information:
      Nature Publishing Group
    • Publication Date:
      2022
    • Collection:
      University of Malta: OAR@UM / L-Università ta' Malta
    • Abstract:
      The introduction of COVID-19 vaccination passes (VPs) by many countries coincided with the Delta variant fast becoming dominant across Europe. A thorough assessment of their impact on epidemic dynamics is still lacking. Here, we propose the VAPSIRS model that considers possibly lower restrictions for the VP holders than for the rest of the population, imperfect vaccination effectiveness against infection, rates of (re-)vaccination and waning immunity, fraction of never-vaccinated, and the increased transmissibility of the Delta variant. Some predicted epidemic scenarios for realistic parameter values yield new COVID-19 infection waves within two years, and high daily case numbers in the endemic state, even without introducing VPs and granting more freedom to their holders. Still, suitable adaptive policies can avoid unfavorable outcomes. While VP holders could initially be allowed more freedom, the lack of full vaccine effectiveness and increased transmissibility will require accelerated (re-)vaccination, wide-spread immunity surveillance, and/or minimal long-term common restrictions. ; peer-reviewed
    • Relation:
      https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/94661
    • Accession Number:
      10.1038/s43856-022-00084-w
    • Online Access:
      https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/94661
      https://doi.org/10.1038/s43856-022-00084-w
    • Rights:
      info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess ; The copyright of this work belongs to the author(s)/publisher. The rights of this work are as defined by the appropriate Copyright Legislation or as modified by any successive legislation. Users may access this work and can make use of the information contained in accordance with the Copyright Legislation provided that the author must be properly acknowledged. Further distribution or reproduction in any format is prohibited without the prior permission of the copyright holder.
    • Accession Number:
      edsbas.3551D5C1