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  1. Article: Immediate and Long-Term Adverse Events of COVID-19 Vaccines: A One-Year Follow-Up Study From the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

    Abdulkader, Manhal A / Merza, Muayad A

    Cureus

    2023  Volume 15, Issue 10, Page(s) e47670

    Abstract: Background The administration of COVID-19 vaccines has been critical in controlling the spread of the virus. However, understanding the potential adverse events (AEs) associated with these vaccines is crucial for public health. While most previous ... ...

    Abstract Background The administration of COVID-19 vaccines has been critical in controlling the spread of the virus. However, understanding the potential adverse events (AEs) associated with these vaccines is crucial for public health. While most previous studies observed only short-term AEs, this study aimed to investigate the immediate and long-term AEs following the first and second doses of Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Sinopharm vaccines, providing valuable long-term insights. Methodology A prospective, one-year, follow-up study was conducted by tracking 922 vaccinated individuals to assess short-term and long-term AEs. Demographics, clinical characteristics, vaccine types, and dose effects were taken into consideration. AEs were classified based on severity and duration. Statistical analyses were performed to compare differences among the vaccine groups, with p-values <0.05 considered significant. Bowker's and chi-square tests were performed using JMP Pro 14.3.0. Results Of the 922 participants, 55.53% (n = 512) were vaccinated with Pfizer, and 23.32% (n = 215) and 21.15% (n = 195) were vaccinated with Sinopharm and AstraZeneca, respectively. Overall, 72.34% of participants (n = 667) were suffering from AEs after the first dose, with a lower prevalence of AEs after the second dose (52.71%, n = 486). Pfizer exhibited the highest percentage and severity of AEs, followed by AstraZeneca and Sinopharm. Most AEs reported in this study were mild and resolved within 72 hours, with females experiencing more frequent AEs. The common short-term AEs observed were fever, injection-site pain, myalgia, fatigue, and headache. Notably, there were no chronic AEs, and only one case of myocarditis was associated with AstraZeneca. Conclusions Despite the variation in the prevalence of AEs among the three vaccines, the vaccination process proved to be safe with no serious short-term AEs. However, the long-term AEs associated with AstraZeneca and the decrease in the prevalence of AEs after the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccines warrant further investigations and priority for future research.
    Language English
    Publishing date 2023-10-25
    Publishing country United States
    Document type Journal Article
    ZDB-ID 2747273-5
    ISSN 2168-8184
    ISSN 2168-8184
    DOI 10.7759/cureus.47670
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  2. Article ; Online: The Omicron Variant is Striking Iraqi Kurdistan in January 2022: Would Preventive Measures Contain the new Wave?

    Merza, Muayad A / Almufty, Hind B

    Disaster medicine and public health preparedness

    2022  , Page(s) 1–2

    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-06-09
    Publishing country United States
    Document type Journal Article
    ZDB-ID 2375268-3
    ISSN 1938-744X ; 1935-7893
    ISSN (online) 1938-744X
    ISSN 1935-7893
    DOI 10.1017/dmp.2022.156
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  3. Article: Seroprevalence and risk factors of hepatitis B and C viruses among diabetes mellitus patients in Duhok province, Iraqi Kurdistan.

    Merza, Muayad A

    Journal of family medicine and primary care

    2020  Volume 9, Issue 2, Page(s) 642–646

    Abstract: Context: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are major public health issues as they may progress into chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).: Aims: to identify the prevalence and risk ... ...

    Abstract Context: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are major public health issues as they may progress into chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
    Aims: to identify the prevalence and risk factors of HBV and HCV among diabetic patients in Duhok province.
    Patients and methods: It is a prospective study conducted in Shilan private hospital from June 2016 until December 2018. The serum of all diabetic patients was investigated by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) to detect HBsAg and anti-HCV. Diabetes mellitus (DM) was diagnosed according to American Diabetes Association (ADA). The results were analyzed by entering the data in Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).
    Results: Three hundred seventy five DM patients were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was 54.38 ± 9.23, and the majority was female patients (65.87%). Out of 375 patients, 8 cases (2.13%) were HBV and 2 cases (0.53%) were HCV. Considering risk factors associated with HBV and HCV infections among diabetic patients, alcoholism was associated with both infections. Hemodialysis was a risk factor for HCV infection among diabetic patients but it was not associated with HBV.
    Conclusions: Although prevalence of HBV and HCV is higher among diabetic patients, its prevalence is low in comparison to other studies. It is recommended to screen HBsAg and anti-HCV in all alcoholic diabetic patients. Hemodialysis remains a significant risk factor for HCV transmission among diabetic patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD).
    Language English
    Publishing date 2020-02-28
    Publishing country India
    Document type Journal Article
    ZDB-ID 2735275-4
    ISSN 2278-7135 ; 2249-4863
    ISSN (online) 2278-7135
    ISSN 2249-4863
    DOI 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1158_19
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  4. Article: Phylogenetic, Sequencing, and Mutation Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (BA.1) and Its Subvariants (BA.1.1, BA.2) During the Fifth Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.

    Taher, Sherzad M / Abdo, Jassim M / Merza, Muayad A

    Cureus

    2023  Volume 15, Issue 11, Page(s) e48637

    Abstract: Introduction In December 2019, a global outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 occurred in Wuhan, China, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the virus has spread to all countries, necessitating a worldwide initiative to create effective treatments and ... ...

    Abstract Introduction In December 2019, a global outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 occurred in Wuhan, China, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the virus has spread to all countries, necessitating a worldwide initiative to create effective treatments and vaccines. Methods The RNA of samples QIAamp Viral RNA Mini Kit (Qiagen, MD). SARS-CoV-2 RNA was reverse transcribed with SuperScript IV VILO (ThermoFisher Scientific, Waltham, MA). The virus cDNA was amplified in two multiplexed PCR reactions using Q5 DNA High-fidelity Polymerase (New England Biolabs, Ipswich, MA). The genome was entirely sequenced from 40 samples at the Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) in California, USA. The samples were sequenced using a NovaSeq 6000 SP Reagent Kit v1.5 (Illumina, USA). The TSRI then entered these sequences into the GISAID database. The virus sequence was matched to the SARS-COV-2 virus identified in Wuhan, China (accession number: NC 045512.2) using Illumina sequencing technology (Illumina, CA), finding 95 different changes. The NextClade (clades.nextstrain.org) and Mega 11 (https://www.megasoftware.net) software tools were used to analyze SARS-CoV-2 genome sequence alignment and mutation studies. Results Following a sequencing analysis, it was determined that the spike glycoprotein (S) included a total of 38 mutations. Thirty of these mutations were found in the ORF1a gene. Additionally, 11 mutations were found in the ORF1b gene, with the remaining mutations found in the nucleocapsid (N), membrane protein (M), open reading frames 6 (ORF6), open reading frames 9 (ORF9), and envelope (E) genes. The phylogenetic analysis and transmission studies indicated that the isolates discovered in Iraq had separate infection origins and were closely linked to those discovered in other nations and states. Conclusion According to the findings of this study, a new vaccine can be developed based on identifying new Omicron variant mutations and subvariants such as BA.2, which were identified for the first time in Iraq.
    Language English
    Publishing date 2023-11-10
    Publishing country United States
    Document type Journal Article
    ZDB-ID 2747273-5
    ISSN 2168-8184
    ISSN 2168-8184
    DOI 10.7759/cureus.48637
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  5. Article: Polypharmacy and the In Silico Prediction of Potential Body Proteins Targeted by These Drugs Among Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients With Cytokine Storm.

    Raouf, Ghazwan A / Mohammad, Fouad K / Merza, Muayad A

    Cureus

    2023  Volume 15, Issue 11, Page(s) e48834

    Abstract: Background and objective Polypharmacy is prevalent in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with severe disease. However, information on polypharmacy among COVID-19 patients who also suffer from cytokine storm is scarce. In light of this, the ... ...

    Abstract Background and objective Polypharmacy is prevalent in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with severe disease. However, information on polypharmacy among COVID-19 patients who also suffer from cytokine storm is scarce. In light of this, the purpose of the present study was to assess the incidence of polypharmacy and in silico prediction of potential body proteins targeted by these drugs among hospitalized COVID-19 patients who were identified to have the additional burden of cytokine storm in the city of Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. Methods This was a cross-sectional observational study conducted from June 2021 to April 2022; the phenomena of major polypharmacy (six to nine medications) and excessive polypharmacy (≥10 medications) were documented among 33 (15 males and 18 females) COVID-19 patients with cytokine storm during their hospital stay (8-45 days) in Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. The SwissTargetPrediction program was utilized in silico to predict and identify human body proteins that could be potentially targeted by selected medications involved in polypharmacy. Results All patients had tested positive for COVID-19 via PCR testing, and they showed different signs and symptoms of the disease. None of the patients recovered and all of them deceased. All 33 patients received many therapeutic agents that ranged in number from eight to 20/patient during their hospital stay. The mean number of medications was 15 ± 3. We identified 2/33 (6%) patients with major polypharmacy (eight and nine) and 31/33 (94%) with excessive polypharmacy (15.5 ± 2.7). The total number of medications identified in polypharmacy was 37, excluding vitamins, minerals, and intravenous solutions. The frequency of medications administered was as follows: antibiotics (67, 13.7%), mucolytic agents (56, 11.5%), corticosteroids (54, 11%), anticoagulants (48, 9.8%), antiviral agents (41, 8.4%), antihypertensive agents (32, 6.5%), analgesics (28, 5.7%), antifungal drugs (27, 5.5%), antidiabetics (26, 5.3%), and other medications (2-19, 0.41-3.9%). Using the SwissTargetPrediction program, various drugs including antiviral agents involved in polypharmacy were found to target, in silico, body proteins at a prediction percentage that ranged from 6.7% to 40%. Conclusions Major and extensive polypharmacy conditions were identified in hospitalized COVID-19 patients suffering from cytokine storm. The severity of COVID-19 with cytokine storm, comorbidities, and hospitalization were key factors associated with polypharmacy in the patients. The SwissTargetPrediction web server is useful for predicting in silico potential human body protein targets that could possibly be sources of additional information on the adverse/toxic effects of polypharmacy medications administered concurrently. Further research in current medication protocols prescribed for advanced COVID-19 illness with cytokine storm is warranted to gain deeper insights into the topic.
    Language English
    Publishing date 2023-11-15
    Publishing country United States
    Document type Journal Article
    ZDB-ID 2747273-5
    ISSN 2168-8184
    ISSN 2168-8184
    DOI 10.7759/cureus.48834
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  6. Article ; Online: Seroprevalence and risk factors of hepatitis B and C viruses among diabetes mellitus patients in Duhok province, Iraqi Kurdistan

    Muayad A Merza

    Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Vol 9, Iss 2, Pp 642-

    2020  Volume 646

    Abstract: Context: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are major public health issues as they may progress into chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Aims: to identify the prevalence and risk factors of ... ...

    Abstract Context: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are major public health issues as they may progress into chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Aims: to identify the prevalence and risk factors of HBV and HCV among diabetic patients in Duhok province. Patients and Methods: It is a prospective study conducted in Shilan private hospital from June 2016 until December 2018. The serum of all diabetic patients was investigated by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) to detect HBsAg and anti-HCV. Diabetes mellitus (DM) was diagnosed according to American Diabetes Association (ADA). The results were analyzed by entering the data in Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: Three hundred seventy five DM patients were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was 54.38 ± 9.23, and the majority was female patients (65.87%). Out of 375 patients, 8 cases (2.13%) were HBV and 2 cases (0.53%) were HCV. Considering risk factors associated with HBV and HCV infections among diabetic patients, alcoholism was associated with both infections. Hemodialysis was a risk factor for HCV infection among diabetic patients but it was not associated with HBV. Conclusions: Although prevalence of HBV and HCV is higher among diabetic patients, its prevalence is low in comparison to other studies. It is recommended to screen HBsAg and anti-HCV in all alcoholic diabetic patients. Hemodialysis remains a significant risk factor for HCV transmission among diabetic patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD).
    Keywords diabetes mellitus ; hbv ; hcv ; risk factors ; seroprevalence ; Medicine ; R
    Subject code 610
    Language English
    Publishing date 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  7. Article ; Online: Memory impairment among recovered COVID-19 patients: The prevalence and risk factors, a retrospective cohort study.

    Merza, Muayad A / Almufty, Hind B / Younis, Heewa A / Rasool, Suzan O / Mohammed, Shinah A

    Journal of medical virology

    2023  Volume 95, Issue 2, Page(s) e28459

    Abstract: The aim of this study is to demonstrate the prevalence of the long-term side effects of COVID-19, namely memory impairment among recovered patients, and obtaining the associated factors that link with memory impairment. It is a cross-sectional ... ...

    Abstract The aim of this study is to demonstrate the prevalence of the long-term side effects of COVID-19, namely memory impairment among recovered patients, and obtaining the associated factors that link with memory impairment. It is a cross-sectional retrospective cohort study, that has been conducted from September to November 2022 in Iraq. People who were previously infected with COVID-19 were included. The study was performed by asking people to complete a questionnaire platform by either online or face-to-face interview. The Memory Assessment Clinic-Q (MAC-Q) test was utilized, scores that are equal or higher than 25 are indicative of memory decline. Thousand two hundred and eighty-seven participated in this study. However, only 1157 were included in the final analysis. Three hundred ninety-nine (34.49%) have memory impairment after COVID-19 recovery. Female gender, older age group, repeated exposure to COVID-19 infections, severe diseases, and exposure to multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants were independent risk factors of memory deficit in post-COVID-19 survivors with a p-value of 0.0001, 0.02, 0.0001, 0.001, 0.0001 respectively. It is crucial to pay particular attention to psychosocial rehabilitation of such risky groups. COVID-19 vaccine administrations with booster shots are necessary steps to decrease the disease incidence and avoid subsequent post-COVID-19 symptoms.
    MeSH term(s) Humans ; Female ; Aged ; Prevalence ; COVID-19 ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Retrospective Studies ; Memory Disorders ; Risk Factors
    Chemical Substances COVID-19 Vaccines
    Language English
    Publishing date 2023-01-05
    Publishing country United States
    Document type Journal Article
    ZDB-ID 752392-0
    ISSN 1096-9071 ; 0146-6615
    ISSN (online) 1096-9071
    ISSN 0146-6615
    DOI 10.1002/jmv.28459
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  8. Article: Screening the Drug-Drug Interactions Between Antimicrobials and Other Prescribed Medications Using Google Bard and Lexicomp® Online™ Database.

    Sulaiman, Dilveen M / Shaba, Suhail S / Almufty, Hind B / Sulaiman, Asmaa M / Merza, Muayad A

    Cureus

    2023  Volume 15, Issue 9, Page(s) e44961

    Abstract: Aim This study aimed to critically appraise the drug-drug interaction (DDI) screening performance of Google Bard (Google AI, Mountain View, California, United States) by comparing it with the authorized Lexicomp® Online™ database (Wolters Kluwer Health, ... ...

    Abstract Aim This study aimed to critically appraise the drug-drug interaction (DDI) screening performance of Google Bard (Google AI, Mountain View, California, United States) by comparing it with the authorized Lexicomp® Online™ database (Wolters Kluwer Health, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States). Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted between April 2023 and August 2023, and enrolled 414 prescriptions that had been collected randomly between April 2023 and June 2023. These prescriptions were processed individually by Lexicomp online and Google Bard to screen for DDIs between antimicrobials and other prescribed medications. Results The total number of DDIs based on Lexicomp and Google Bard were 90 and 68, respectively. Cohen's Kappa (κ) values showed that there was a nil to slight agreement between Lexicomp and Google Bard regarding the DDI risk rating (κ=0.01). Regarding the severity rate, there was a slight agreement between them (κ=0.02), but in terms of reliability rate, there was no agreement (κ =-0.02). Conclusion This study unveiled differences between Lexicomp and Google Bard regarding their DDI identification, severity rating, and reliability rates. It is fundamental to consider that both tools have their strengths and weaknesses and, therefore, should not be individually depended on for final clinical decisions. However, Lexicomp can be considered authoritative in screening DDIs, but Google Bard currently lacks the necessary precision and reliability for conducting such screenings.
    Language English
    Publishing date 2023-09-09
    Publishing country United States
    Document type Journal Article
    ZDB-ID 2747273-5
    ISSN 2168-8184
    ISSN 2168-8184
    DOI 10.7759/cureus.44961
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  9. Article ; Online: Potential adverse effects of COVID19 vaccines among Iraqi population; a comparison between the three available vaccines in Iraq; a retrospective cross-sectional study.

    Almufty, Hind B / Mohammed, Shinah A / Abdullah, Arshad M / Merza, Muayad A

    Diabetes & metabolic syndrome

    2021  Volume 15, Issue 5, Page(s) 102207

    Abstract: Aims: the objectives of this study are to reveal the potential side effects after taking the covid19 vaccines, associated risk factors with severe side effects, and to compare the three COVID-19 vaccines available in Iraq (Sinopharm, AstraZeneca-Oxford ... ...

    Abstract Aims: the objectives of this study are to reveal the potential side effects after taking the covid19 vaccines, associated risk factors with severe side effects, and to compare the three COVID-19 vaccines available in Iraq (Sinopharm, AstraZeneca-Oxford and Pfizer- BioNTech).
    Methods: a randomized cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2021. A standardized questionnaire platform was utilized to collect information about the Iraqi population.
    Results: 1012 were enrolled in the study, 60.2% were male and 39.8% were female. 84% were symptomatic post vaccination. Young aged participants, females, participants with history of COVID19 infection, those with comorbid diseases and AstraZeneca vaccine receivers were statistically significant risk factors for having adverse reactions post vaccination, P value (0.03, 0.028, 0.007, 0.019 and 0.0001) respectively. Regarding severity of symptoms, most symptoms were mild and moderate. Residency in Kurdistan Region of Iraq and AstraZeneca vaccine were the statistically significant risk factors for getting severe symptoms P value < 0.0001 of both. Females were an associated risk factor for D-dimer elevation P value = 0.05.
    Conclusion: fatigue, injection site reactions, fever, myalgia, headache and chills were the most reported side effects. Most symptoms were mild to moderate in term of severity.
    MeSH term(s) Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; COVID-19/epidemiology ; COVID-19/prevention & control ; COVID-19 Vaccines/adverse effects ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Iraq/epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; SARS-CoV-2/immunology ; Vaccination/adverse effects ; Vaccination/statistics & numerical data ; Young Adult
    Chemical Substances COVID-19 Vaccines
    Language English
    Publishing date 2021-07-12
    Publishing country Netherlands
    Document type Journal Article
    ZDB-ID 2273766-2
    ISSN 1878-0334 ; 1871-4021
    ISSN (online) 1878-0334
    ISSN 1871-4021
    DOI 10.1016/j.dsx.2021.102207
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  10. Article ; Online: COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough infection among fully vaccinated healthcare workers in Duhok governorate, Iraqi Kurdistan: A retrospective cohort study.

    Almufty, Hind B / Mamani, Masoud M Ameen / Ali, Ali H / Merza, Muayad A

    Journal of medical virology

    2022  Volume 94, Issue 11, Page(s) 5244–5250

    Abstract: The aims of this study were: to determine the incidence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among vaccinated healthcare workers (HCWs), assess risk factors associated with the vaccine breakthrough (BT), and compare ... ...

    Abstract The aims of this study were: to determine the incidence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among vaccinated healthcare workers (HCWs), assess risk factors associated with the vaccine breakthrough (BT), and compare the effectiveness of vaccine manufacturers against SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern among HCWs in Duhok governorate. It is a multicenter retrospective cohort study, which enrolled 944 HCWs through March 2022. COVID-19 vaccinated HCWs aging 18 and above were included. A random sampling process was performed by asking the participants to fill out a standardized questionnaire by means of interviews or participant-completed surveys. Fully vaccinated HCWs with positive polymerase chain reaction tests were considered to have vaccine BT infection. Two hundred and eighty-four (30.1%) out of 944 vaccinated HCWs had SARS-CoV-2 infection postvaccination, of whom 241 (84.9%) were fully vaccinated, concluding that the incidence of BT infection is 25.5%. There were 422 (44.7%) males and 522 (55.3%) females. Most vaccine BT infections had developed in SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (53.5%). The majority of BT infections were mild to moderate (95.5%). Occupation, namely dentist was a significant risk factor, with a p value of 0.001. HCWs with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection prevaccination were more prone to a vaccine BT infection (p value =0.002). Pfizer vaccine manufacturers revealed the highest effectiveness against BT infection (p value =0.0001). Paramedics showed a significant association with the disease severity (p value =0.02). The three available vaccine manufacturers in the Duhok governorate are effective against COVID-19 BT infections. Dentists and paramedics were significantly associated with poor COVID-19 outcomes.
    MeSH term(s) COVID-19/epidemiology ; COVID-19/prevention & control ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Female ; Health Personnel ; Humans ; Iraq/epidemiology ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; SARS-CoV-2/genetics ; Vaccines
    Chemical Substances COVID-19 Vaccines ; Vaccines
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-07-26
    Publishing country United States
    Document type Journal Article ; Multicenter Study
    ZDB-ID 752392-0
    ISSN 1096-9071 ; 0146-6615
    ISSN (online) 1096-9071
    ISSN 0146-6615
    DOI 10.1002/jmv.27985
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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