COVID-19 Vaccine: A Way Out of Crisis

COVID-19 pandemic has taken toll on the entire globe at physical, emotional and administrative level; straining each and every aspect to its fullest. As on April 19/2021, COVID-19 has infected more than 140 million people around world with around 3 million deaths worldwide. Covid-19 vaccine has emerged as an important direction to walk the world out of this crisis. This chapter covers the basic aspects and principles of vaccination and Immunology and its application in COVID-19 pandemic. This chapter further covers the different type of vaccines being developed, their dosage schedule and route of administration, common adverse events and myths related to them.

Adult vaccination in Brazil: a cross-sectional survey on physicians’ prescription habits

ABSTRACTOBJECTIVETo characterize adult and older adult vaccination practices of physicians from various medical specialties in Brazil, identify the barriers influencing prescription of vaccines to these populations, and evaluate the physicians’ knowledge on routinely prescribed vaccines.METHODSCross-sectional survey conducted in Brazil between June-August 2018. Eligible physicians included those from general practice/family medicine, geriatrics, cardiology, gynecology, endocrinology, infectious disease and pulmonology. The survey’s questions addressed the physicians’ prescription habits, sociodemographic and clinical practice characteristics, barriers to vaccines’ prescription to adult and older adult patients, and physicians’ knowledge regarding routinely prescribed vaccines. The study focused on the vaccines recommended by the Brazilian Society of Immunization (SBIm) for adults and older adults. Study sample was stratified according to the number of physicians per specialty and Brazilian region.RESULTSA total of 1068 surveys were completed. The vaccines prescribed by the highest proportions of physicians were Influenza (>90% of physicians for adults and older adults), Hepatitis B (adults: 87%; older adults: 59%) and Yellow Fever (adults: 77.7%; older adults: 58.5%). Underprescription was reported by less than 20% of prescribing physicians for all adult and older adult recommended vaccines. The most common barriers to vaccination were the high vaccine cost, lack of time during appointments and lack of patient interest. Knowledge on target populations, dosage schedule and availability in the Unified Public Health System (SUS) was generally low.CONCLUSIONSThe results showed a considerable variability of prescribing habits across recommended vaccines and medical specialties. Although most prescribing physicians seem to be aware of the importance of adult and older adults vaccination, knowledge deficits on vaccines’ target populations, dosage schedule and availability in the SUS may hamper their ability to prescribe vaccines to all patients with an indication.

Extraction of Stigmasterol and β-Sitosterol from the leaves of Acanthus montanus and their contractile activity on uterine muscles of non-pregnant female albino rats

Acanthus montanus is an important medicinal plant belonging to the family Acanthaceae. It is a plant with several phytoconstituents which accounts for its tradopharmacological uses such as treatment of pain, female infertility and spontaneous abortion with dosage schedule depending on the ailment. The present study was aimed at identifying and characterizing some of the active principles from leaves of the plant. Keywords: Acanthus montanus; Stigmasterol; β-sitosterol; contractile activity; uterine contraction; non-pregnant rat.

Patient Knowledge of Correct Dosage Regimen; The Need for Good Dispensing Practice

Background: The inappropriate use of medicine is a widespread problem, especially in developing countries. Proper dispensing practices as part of medication therapy increase benefits and minimize risks to the consumers. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess patient knowledge of dosage regimen and the pharmacists dispensing practice. Method: A cross-sectional study design was conducted at Jimma Medical Center from March 1, 2018 to April 29, 2018. Data were collected prospectively using checklists and structured questionnaires. Results: Of the total prescribed drugs, 689 (74.25%) were actually dispensed, and 239 (34.7%) drugs were adequately labeled. The average dispensing and consultation times were 41.45 ± 12.1 and 49.13 ± 12 seconds, respectively. Of the total participants on exit interview, 267 (74.8%) correctly reported the dosage schedule of dispensed medicines. From the multivariate logistics regression analysis, language barrier (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 32.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 12.23-87.15), severity of health condition (AOR = 7.3, 95% CI = 2.70-19.56), and the number of drugs dispensed (AOR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.18-0.87 [1 drug], AOR = 0.16, 95% CI = 0.61-0.42 [2 drugs]) have shown significant association with patient knowledge of dosage regimen. Conclusions: Majority of the patients did not receive the prescribed medicines from the outpatient pharmacy of Jimma Medical Center. Plus, only a few of the dispensed drugs contain all the necessary information. However, a large portion of the participants correctly reported the dosage schedule of their drugs.

Critical Review on Standard Operative Procedure of Yapana Basti Karma

Panchakarma therapy is one of the vital branch of Ayurveda, which deals mainly with purification of the provoked Doshas from the body. Basti Chikitsa is regarded as the prime treatment modality among the Panchakarma. It is having not only curative action but also preventive and promotive actions. It is considered as best treatment for Vata Dosha. Yapana Basti is a subtype of Asthapana Basti, which is having the property to support life and promote longevity and widely used in various disorders. Rajayapana Basti is superior amongst all the Yapana Bastis described by Acharya Charaka as it is the king of Yapana. This Rasayana Yapana Basti performs dual function of both Anuvasana and Niruha; hence this is Srotoshodhaka and Brimhana at the sametime. That’s why there is no need to administer separate Anuvasana while giving Yapana Basti. There is an urgent need of standardizing the classical Panchakarma procedures in consideration of the need of today. The dosage schedule, exact procedures, medicaments, effects, and side effects are to be standardized so that uniform procedure of practice should be followed all over nation. Standardization is the need of hour for physicians, to prevent Atiyoga (over activity), Ayoga (less or no activity) and to get adequate effects in a systematic and sophisticated manner within desired time period.