Investigating the effects of vaccine on COVID-19 disease propagation using a Bayesian approach

Abstract The causal impact of COVID-19 vaccine coverage on effective reproduction number R(t) under the disease control measures in the real-world scenario is understudied, making the optimal reopening strategy (e.g., when and which control measures are supposed to be conducted) during the recovery...

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Main Authors: Lu Ling, Satish V. Ukkusuri
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2023-08-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-37972-7
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author Lu Ling
Satish V. Ukkusuri
author_facet Lu Ling
Satish V. Ukkusuri
author_sort Lu Ling
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The causal impact of COVID-19 vaccine coverage on effective reproduction number R(t) under the disease control measures in the real-world scenario is understudied, making the optimal reopening strategy (e.g., when and which control measures are supposed to be conducted) during the recovery phase difficult to design. In this study, we examine the demographic heterogeneity and time variation of the vaccine effect on disease propagation based on the Bayesian structural time series analysis. Furthermore, we explore the role of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) and the entrance of the Delta variant of COVID-19 in the vaccine effect for U.S. counties. The analysis highlights several important findings: First, vaccine effects vary among the age-specific population and population densities. The vaccine effect for areas with high population density or core airport hubs is 2 times higher than for areas with low population density. Besides, areas with more older people need a high vaccine coverage to help them against the more contagious variants (e.g., the Delta variant). Second, the business restriction policy and mask requirement are more effective in preventing COVID-19 infections than other NPI measures (e.g., bar closure, gather ban, and restaurant restrictions) for areas with high population density and core airport hubs. Furthermore, the mask requirement consistently amplifies the vaccine effects against disease propagation after the presence of contagious variants. Third, areas with a high percentage of older people are suggested to postpone relaxing the restaurant restriction or gather ban since they amplify the vaccine effect against disease infections. Such empirical insights assist recovery phases of the pandemic in designing more efficient reopening strategies, vaccine prioritization, and allocation policies.
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spelling doaj.art-d290201fcbc243aaa2e95c9c0c5e9aa72023-11-26T13:05:56ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222023-08-0113111110.1038/s41598-023-37972-7Investigating the effects of vaccine on COVID-19 disease propagation using a Bayesian approachLu Ling0Satish V. Ukkusuri1Lyles School of Civil Engineering, Purdue UniversityLyles School of Civil Engineering, Purdue UniversityAbstract The causal impact of COVID-19 vaccine coverage on effective reproduction number R(t) under the disease control measures in the real-world scenario is understudied, making the optimal reopening strategy (e.g., when and which control measures are supposed to be conducted) during the recovery phase difficult to design. In this study, we examine the demographic heterogeneity and time variation of the vaccine effect on disease propagation based on the Bayesian structural time series analysis. Furthermore, we explore the role of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) and the entrance of the Delta variant of COVID-19 in the vaccine effect for U.S. counties. The analysis highlights several important findings: First, vaccine effects vary among the age-specific population and population densities. The vaccine effect for areas with high population density or core airport hubs is 2 times higher than for areas with low population density. Besides, areas with more older people need a high vaccine coverage to help them against the more contagious variants (e.g., the Delta variant). Second, the business restriction policy and mask requirement are more effective in preventing COVID-19 infections than other NPI measures (e.g., bar closure, gather ban, and restaurant restrictions) for areas with high population density and core airport hubs. Furthermore, the mask requirement consistently amplifies the vaccine effects against disease propagation after the presence of contagious variants. Third, areas with a high percentage of older people are suggested to postpone relaxing the restaurant restriction or gather ban since they amplify the vaccine effect against disease infections. Such empirical insights assist recovery phases of the pandemic in designing more efficient reopening strategies, vaccine prioritization, and allocation policies.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-37972-7
spellingShingle Lu Ling
Satish V. Ukkusuri
Investigating the effects of vaccine on COVID-19 disease propagation using a Bayesian approach
Scientific Reports
title Investigating the effects of vaccine on COVID-19 disease propagation using a Bayesian approach
title_full Investigating the effects of vaccine on COVID-19 disease propagation using a Bayesian approach
title_fullStr Investigating the effects of vaccine on COVID-19 disease propagation using a Bayesian approach
title_full_unstemmed Investigating the effects of vaccine on COVID-19 disease propagation using a Bayesian approach
title_short Investigating the effects of vaccine on COVID-19 disease propagation using a Bayesian approach
title_sort investigating the effects of vaccine on covid 19 disease propagation using a bayesian approach
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-37972-7
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