Josephine Mak
A5002555250- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
- COVID-19 and healthcare impacts
- Respiratory viral infections research
- Influenza Virus Research Studies
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing
- Trauma and Emergency Care Studies
- COVID-19 epidemiological studies
- Infection Control and Ventilation
- Animal Virus Infections Studies
- Cardiac, Anesthesia and Surgical Outcomes
- Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections
- Geriatric Care and Nursing Homes
- Healthcare cost, quality, practices
- Retinal and Optic Conditions
- Appendicitis Diagnosis and Management
- COVID-19 and Mental Health
- Urinary Tract Infections Management
- Adolescent and Pediatric Healthcare
- Gallbladder and Bile Duct Disorders
- Global Cancer Incidence and Screening
- Pancreatic and Hepatic Oncology Research
- Ultrasound in Clinical Applications
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
2020-2025
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
2024-2025
University of Arizona
2022-2023
Wellington Hospital
2023
Kaiser Permanente
2023
University of Miami
2022
Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions
2022
University of Utah
2022
New York Proton Center
2022
Communities In Schools of Orange County
2022
Messenger RNA (mRNA) BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) and mRNA-1273 (Moderna) COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to be effective in preventing symptomatic randomized placebo-controlled Phase III trials (1,2); however, the benefits of these for asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) infection, particularly when administered real-world conditions, is less well understood. Using prospective cohorts health care personnel, first responders, other essential frontline workers* eight U.S....
Information is limited regarding the effectiveness of two-dose messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) and mRNA-1273 (Moderna) in preventing infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) attenuating disease 2019 (Covid-19) when administered real-world conditions.
The BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) mRNA COVID-19 vaccine was recommended by CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for persons aged 12-15 years (referred to as adolescents in this report) May 12, 2021, and children 5-11 November 2, 2021 (1-4). Real-world data effectiveness (VE) these age groups are needed, especially because when the B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant became predominant United States December early investigations of VE demonstrated a decline protection against symptomatic...
During the beginning of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, nursing homes were identified as congregate settings at high risk for outbreaks COVID-19 (1,2). Their residents also are higher than general population morbidity and mortality associated with infection SARS-CoV-2, virus that causes COVID-19, in light association severe outcomes older age certain underlying medical conditions (1,3). CDC's National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) launched nationwide, facility-level home...
On September 12, 2023, CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended updated 2023-2024 (updated) COVID-19 vaccination with a monovalent XBB.1.5-derived vaccine for all persons aged ≥6 months to prevent COVID-19, including severe disease. During fall XBB lineages co-circulated JN.1, an Omicron BA.2.86 lineage that emerged in 2023. These variants have amino acid substitutions might increase escape from neutralizing antibodies. predominated through December when JN.1 became...
COVID-19 vaccines protect against severe COVID-19-associated outcomes, including hospitalization and death. As SARS-CoV-2 has evolved, waning vaccine effectiveness been noted, formulations policies have updated to provide continued protection illness death from COVID-19. Since September 2022, bivalent mRNA recommended in the United States, but variants these are no longer circulating widely. On 11, 2023, Food Drug Administration (FDA) approved (2023-2024 Formula) by Moderna Pfizer-BioNTech...
In a cohort of essential workers in the United States previously infected with SARS-CoV-2, risk factors for reinfection included being unvaccinated, infrequent mask use, time since first infection, and non-Hispanic Black. Protecting from requires multipronged approach including up-to-date vaccination, use as recommended, reduction underlying health disparities.
Importance An estimated 1% to 3% of children with SARS-CoV-2 infection will develop post–COVID-19 condition (PCC). Objective To evaluate the odds PCC among COVID-19 vaccination prior compared unvaccinated children. Design, Setting, and Participants In this case-control study, were enrolled in a multisite longitudinal pediatric cohort from July 27, 2021, September 1, 2022, followed up through May 2023. Analysis used case (PCC reported)–control (no reported) design included aged 5 17 years...
Workers critical to emergency response and continuity of essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic are at a disproportionally high risk SARS-CoV-2 infection. Prospective cohort studies needed for enhancing understanding incidence symptomatic asymptomatic infections, identifying factors, assessing clinical outcomes, determining effectiveness vaccination.The Research on Epidemiology in Essential Response Personnel (RECOVER) prospective study was designed estimate examine factors...
ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Information is limited on messenger RNA (mRNA) BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) and mRNA-1273 (Moderna) COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness (VE) in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection or attenuating disease when administered real-world conditions. METHODS Prospective cohorts of 3,975 healthcare personnel, first responders, other essential frontline workers completed weekly testing during December 14 2020—April 10 2021. Self-collected mid-turbinate nasal swabs were tested by qualitative...
Abstract Background We sought to evaluate the impact of changes in estimates COVID‐19 vaccine effectiveness on incidence laboratory‐confirmed infection among frontline workers at high risk for SARS‐CoV‐2. Methods analyzed data from a prospective worker cohort estimate by month as well association vaccination, occupation, demographics, physical distancing, and mask use with risk. Participants completed baseline quarterly surveys, each week self‐collected mid‐turbinate nasal swabs reported...
Abstract Background Previous estimates of vaccine effectiveness (VE) against asymptomatic influenza virus infection based on seroconversion have varied widely and may be biased. We estimated 2022–2023 VE illness in a prospective cohort. Methods In the HEROES-RECOVER cohort, adults at increased occupational risk exposure across 7 US sites provided weekly symptom reports nasal swabs for reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing. Laboratory-confirmed infections were...
Abstract Objective: To assess the national uptake of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) core elements antibiotic stewardship in nursing homes from 2016 to 2018 effect infection prevention control (IPC) hours on implementation elements. Design: Retrospective, repeated cross-sectional analysis. Setting: US homes. Methods: We used National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) Long-Term Care Facility Component annual surveys home characteristics percent log-binomial regression models...
Assessing the real-world effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines and understanding incidence severity SARS-CoV-2 illness in children are essential to inform policy guide health care professionals advising parents caregivers who test positive for SARS-CoV-2.This report describes objectives methods conducting Pediatric Research Observing Trends Exposures Timelines (PROTECT) study. PROTECT is a longitudinal prospective pediatric cohort study designed estimate vaccine (VE) against infection among...
Abstract Background Data on antibody kinetics are limited among individuals previously infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). From a cohort of healthcare personnel and other frontline workers in 6 US states, we assessed waning after messenger RNA (mRNA) dose response to 3 according SARS-CoV-2 infection history. Methods Participants submitted sera every months, infection, each mRNA vaccine dose. Sera were tested for antibodies reported as area under the...
While there is evidence that COVID-19 vaccination protects against development of post-COVID conditions (PCC) after severe infection data are limited on whether reduces the risk cases less-severe non-hospitalized disease with more recent SARS-CoV-2 variant viruses. This study assessed was protective subsequent PCC in persons predominantly mild initial infections during both Delta and Omicron predominance.
Background. We sought to evaluate the impact of changes in estimates COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness on incidence laboratory-confirmed infection among frontline workers at high risk for SARS-CoV-2. Methods. analyzed data from a prospective worker cohort estimate by month as well association vaccination, occupation, demographics, physical distancing and mask use with risk. Participants completed baseline quarterly surveys, each week self-collected mid-turbinate nasal swabs reported symptoms....
Abstract Background Since 2016, nursing homes (NHs) enrolled in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s NHSN Long-term Care Facility (LTCF) Component have reported on their implementation of core elements antibiotic stewardship. In 42% NHs implementing all seven elements. Recent regulations require stewardship programs NHs. The objectives this analysis were to track national progress evaluate how time dedicated infection prevention control (IPC) is associated with Methods We used...
<sec> <title>BACKGROUND</title> Assessing the real-world effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines and understanding incidence severity SARS-CoV-2 illness in children is essential to inform policy guide healthcare professionals advising parents caregivers who test positive for SARS-CoV-2. </sec> <title>OBJECTIVE</title> This report describes objectives methods conducting Pediatric Research Observing Trends Exposures Timelines (PROTECT) study. PROTECT a longitudinal prospective pediatric cohort...
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<sec> <title>BACKGROUND</title> Workers critical to emergency response and continuity of essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic are at a disproportionally high risk SARS-CoV-2 infection. Prospective cohort studies needed for enhancing understanding incidence symptomatic asymptomatic infections, identifying factors, assessing clinical outcomes, determining effectiveness vaccination. </sec> <title>OBJECTIVE</title> The Research on Epidemiology in Essential Response Personnel (RECOVER)...