Featured Publications
SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines decouple anti-viral immunity from humoral autoimmunity
Jaycox J, Lucas C, Yildirim I, Dai Y, Wang E, Monteiro V, Lord S, Carlin J, Kita M, Buckner J, Ma S, Campbell M, Ko A, Omer S, Lucas C, Speake C, Iwasaki A, Ring A. SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines decouple anti-viral immunity from humoral autoimmunity. Nature Communications 2023, 14: 1299. PMID: 36894554, PMCID: PMC9996559, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36686-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVaccine-associated myocarditisAutoimmune patientsAutoantibody reactivitySARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccinationVaccine-related adverse effectsSARS-CoV-2 immunitySARS-CoV-2 infectionAcute COVID-19Development of autoantibodiesCOVID-19 patientsAnti-viral immunityVirus-specific antibodiesCOVID-19 vaccineCOVID-19Humoral autoimmunityMRNA vaccinationAutoantibody responsePost vaccinationAutoantibody developmentAutoimmune diseasesHumoral responseHealthy individualsPatientsAntigen profilingAdverse effectsEvidence of leaky protection following COVID-19 vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 infection in an incarcerated population
Lind M, Dorion M, Houde A, Lansing M, Lapidus S, Thomas R, Yildirim I, Omer S, Schulz W, Andrews J, Hitchings M, Kennedy B, Richeson R, Cummings D, Ko A. Evidence of leaky protection following COVID-19 vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 infection in an incarcerated population. Nature Communications 2023, 14: 5055. PMID: 37598213, PMCID: PMC10439918, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40750-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSARS-CoV-2 infectionPrior infectionHybrid immunityInfection riskCOVID-19 vaccinationNon-pharmaceutical interventionsInfected residentsVaccinationInfectionDocumented exposureDelta periodCell exposureIncarcerated populationsExposureImmunityRiskAssociationPotential benefitsCorrectional facilitiesCrowded settingsResidentsPeriodRelationship between the use of nonpharmaceutical interventions and COVID-19 vaccination among U.S. child care providers: A prospective cohort study
Patel KM, Shafiq M, Malik AA, Cobanoglu A, Klotz M, Eric Humphries J, Lee A, Murray T, Wilkinson D, Yildirim I, Elharake JA, Diaz R, Rojas R, Kuperwajs Cohen A, Omer SB, Gilliam WS. Relationship between the use of nonpharmaceutical interventions and COVID-19 vaccination among U.S. child care providers: A prospective cohort study. Vaccine 2022, 40: 4098-4104. PMID: 35660329, PMCID: PMC9135692, DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.05.064.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCOVID-19 vaccinationProspective cohort studyCare providersNonpharmaceutical interventionsChild care providersCohort studyLikelihood of vaccinationPreventative health behaviorsVaccinationHealth behaviorsCare programMandatory vaccinationSignificant associationVaccine mandatesDistrict of ColumbiaLarge healthInterventionPandemic controlCOVID-19Child care programsProvidersEmail surveyNonadherenceMeasuresFactors influencing the decision to receive seasonal influenza vaccination among US corporate non-healthcare workers
Aguolu OG, Willebrand K, Elharake JA, Qureshi HM, Kiti MC, Liu CY, Mesa A, Nelson K, Jenness S, Melegaro A, Ahmed F, Yildirim I, Malik FA, Lopman B, Omer SB. Factors influencing the decision to receive seasonal influenza vaccination among US corporate non-healthcare workers. Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics 2022, 18: 2122379. PMID: 36136345, PMCID: PMC9746537, DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2022.2122379.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultCOVID-19FemaleHumansInfluenza VaccinesInfluenza, HumanMaleUnited StatesVaccinationWorkplaceYoung AdultConceptsInfluenza vaccinationNon-healthcare workersInfluenza vaccinePromotion messagesWorkplace vaccination programsSeasonal influenza vaccinationInfluenza vaccine acceptancePublic health authoritiesLogistic regression modelsInfluenza seasonPhysician recommendationVaccination acceptanceVaccine accessibilityVaccine acceptanceSevere outcomesVaccination programPromotion interventionsUS adultsWork absenceVaccinationVaccination decisionsHealth authoritiesSignificant mortalityUnderstanding predictorsSignificant predictorsCOVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance and Hesitancy Among Health Care Workers in Lebanon
Youssef N, Tfaily N, Moumneh M, Boutros C, Elharake J, Malik A, McFadden S, Galal B, Yildirim I, Khoshnood K, Omer S, Memish Z, Dbaibo G. COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance and Hesitancy Among Health Care Workers in Lebanon. Journal Of Epidemiology And Global Health 2023, 13: 55-66. PMID: 36735184, PMCID: PMC9896451, DOI: 10.1007/s44197-023-00086-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHealth care workersCOVID-19 vaccine acceptanceVaccine acceptancePrevious infectionCare workersPrevious SARS-CoV-2 infectionSARS-CoV-2 infectionMethodsA cross-sectional studyCOVID-19 vaccination ratesCOVID-19 vaccinationCross-sectional studyCOVID-19 vaccineHealth care authoritiesVaccine uptakeVaccination ratesOrder of PhysiciansVaccine hesitancyGeneral populationHealthcare providersVaccineCare authoritiesInfectionCOVID-19 informationTrusted sourceCOVID-19 pandemic
2022
No evidence of fetal defects or anti-syncytin-1 antibody induction following COVID-19 mRNA vaccination
Lu-Culligan A, Tabachnikova A, Pérez-Then E, Tokuyama M, Lee HJ, Lucas C, Monteiro V, Miric M, Brache V, Cochon L, Muenker MC, Mohanty S, Huang J, Kang I, Dela Cruz C, Farhadian S, Campbell M, Yildirim I, Shaw AC, Ma S, Vermund SH, Ko AI, Omer SB, Iwasaki A. No evidence of fetal defects or anti-syncytin-1 antibody induction following COVID-19 mRNA vaccination. PLOS Biology 2022, 20: e3001506. PMID: 35609110, PMCID: PMC9129011, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001506.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCOVID-19 mRNA vaccinationMRNA vaccinationEarly pregnancyFetal sizeCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA vaccinationSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2Acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2Respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2Maternal antibody statusAdverse neonatal outcomesSyndrome coronavirus 2Birth defectsPolyinosinic-polycytidylic acidCrown-rump lengthGross birth defectsUnvaccinated adultsMaternal illnessNeonatal outcomesVaccinated adultsAntibody statusTLR3 agonistEarly immunizationMurine pregnancyAntibody inductionCoronavirus 2The balancing role of distribution speed against varying efficacy levels of COVID-19 vaccines under variants
Kim D, Keskinocak P, Pekgün P, Yildirim İ. The balancing role of distribution speed against varying efficacy levels of COVID-19 vaccines under variants. Scientific Reports 2022, 12: 7493. PMID: 35523832, PMCID: PMC9075929, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11060-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOverall public health impactInfection attack rateCOVID-19 vaccineSARS-CoV-2Public health impactVaccine effectivenessAdverse outcomesMultiple vaccinesInitial efficacySuccessful immunization strategyImmunization strategiesVaccineLow-income countriesAttack rateEfficacyCOVID-19COVID-19 pandemicHealth impactsInfection spreadRecovered-deceased [SI(Q/F)RD] modelEfficacy levelsPandemicHospitalizationVaccinationVariantsNeutralizing antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron variants following heterologous CoronaVac plus BNT162b2 booster vaccination
Pérez-Then E, Lucas C, Monteiro VS, Miric M, Brache V, Cochon L, Vogels CBF, Malik AA, De la Cruz E, Jorge A, De los Santos M, Leon P, Breban MI, Billig K, Yildirim I, Pearson C, Downing R, Gagnon E, Muyombwe A, Razeq J, Campbell M, Ko AI, Omer SB, Grubaugh ND, Vermund SH, Iwasaki A. Neutralizing antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron variants following heterologous CoronaVac plus BNT162b2 booster vaccination. Nature Medicine 2022, 28: 481-485. PMID: 35051990, PMCID: PMC8938264, DOI: 10.1038/s41591-022-01705-6.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTwo-dose regimenOmicron variantVaccine boosterMRNA vaccinesNeutralization activityDelta variantTwo-dose mRNA vaccinesVirus-specific antibody levelsSARS-CoV-2 Omicron variantMRNA vaccine boosterNeutralization of OmicronNumerous spike mutationsSARS-CoV-2 DeltaPotent neutralization activityInfection-induced immunityCOVID-19 vaccineBNT162b2 boosterBooster vaccinationPrime vaccinationAntibody levelsAntibody titersHumoral immunityImmune escapeInactivated vaccinesVaccineVaccination in pediatric solid organ transplant: A primer for the immunizing clinician
Chen JK, Cheng J, Liverman R, Serluco A, Corbo H, Yildirim I. Vaccination in pediatric solid organ transplant: A primer for the immunizing clinician. Clinical Transplantation 2022, 36: e14577. PMID: 34997642, DOI: 10.1111/ctr.14577.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsChildHumansImmunosuppression TherapyOrgan TransplantationTransplant RecipientsVaccinationVaccinesConceptsVaccine-preventable illnessesPediatric solid organ transplant recipientsSolid organ transplant recipientsPediatric solid organ transplantCorrect immunization schedulesPrevention's Advisory CommitteeOrgan transplant recipientsSolid organ transplantsInfectious Diseases SocietyTime of transplantTransplant recipientsDiseases SocietyVaccine recommendationsIncomplete immunizationImmunization scheduleAntibody titersInadequate responseOrgan transplantsElevated riskPreventable illnessMultiple guidelinesVaccine managementRapid catchDisease controlAmerican Society
2021
COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Among US Child Care Providers
Patel KM, Malik AA, Lee A, Klotz M, Humphries JE, Murray T, Wilkinson D, Shafiq M, Yildirim I, Elharake JA, Diaz R, Reyes C, Omer SB, Gilliam WS. COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Among US Child Care Providers. Pediatrics 2021, 148: e2021053813. PMID: 34452977, PMCID: PMC9277775, DOI: 10.1542/peds.2021-053813.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCOVID-19 vaccine uptakeVaccine uptakeCare providersChild care providersVaccination ratesSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2Adult populationState public health leadersUS general adult populationAcute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2General US adult populationRespiratory syndrome coronavirus 2Home-based child care programsSyndrome coronavirus 2US adult populationGeneral adult populationCross-sectional surveyPublic health implicationsPublic health leadersAnnual household incomeCoronavirus 2Care settingsInclusion criteriaCare programChild care settingsResource allocation for different types of vaccines against COVID-19: Tradeoffs and synergies between efficacy and reach
Kim D, Pekgün P, Yildirim İ, Keskinocak P. Resource allocation for different types of vaccines against COVID-19: Tradeoffs and synergies between efficacy and reach. Vaccine 2021, 39: 6876-6882. PMID: 34688498, PMCID: PMC8520874, DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.10.025.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsCOVID-19COVID-19 VaccinesHumansPandemicsResource AllocationSARS-CoV-2VaccinationVaccinesConceptsInfection attack rateVaccine typesDifferent vaccine typesResource-limited countriesHigh-efficacy vaccinesDifferent study parametersVaccine shortageEfficacy vaccineHealth outcomesLife-saving vaccinesVaccineVaccine distributionLow efficacyAttack rateStudy parametersEfficacyHigh efficacyCOVID-19COVID-19 pandemicDeceased (SIRD) modelDifferent resource allocation decisionsLimited accessA Retrospective Test-Negative Case-Control Study to Evaluate Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness in Preventing Hospitalizations in Children
Yildirim I, Kao CM, Tippett A, Suntarattiwong P, Munye M, Yi J, Elmontser M, Quincer E, Focht C, Watson N, Bilen H, Baker JM, Lopman B, Hogenesch E, Rostad CA, Anderson EJ. A Retrospective Test-Negative Case-Control Study to Evaluate Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness in Preventing Hospitalizations in Children. Clinical Infectious Diseases 2021, 73: 1759-1767. PMID: 34410341, PMCID: PMC8599178, DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciab709.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInfluenza vaccine effectivenessInfluenza-positive casesInfluenza-related hospitalizationsVaccine effectivenessInfluenza seasonOdds ratioInfluenza ALaboratory-confirmed influenza-related hospitalizationsTest-negative case-control study designAdjusted vaccine effectivenessInfluenza-negative controlsTest-negative controlsCase-control study designHospitalization of childrenTest-negative casesConfidence intervalsNon-Hispanic blacksLogistic regression modelsPreventing HospitalizationInfluenza vaccinationInfluenza burdenMedian ageInfluenza B.Influenza infectionPediatric hospitalizationsSignificance of SARS-CoV-2 specific antibody testing during COVID-19 vaccine allocation
Fujimoto AB, Keskinocak P, Yildirim I. Significance of SARS-CoV-2 specific antibody testing during COVID-19 vaccine allocation. Vaccine 2021, 39: 5055-5063. PMID: 34274126, PMCID: PMC8233959, DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.06.067.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInfection attack rateAntibody testingSARS-CoV-2-specific antibodiesSpecific antibody testingAttack rateCOVID-19 vaccineSingle-dose vaccineCOVID-19 vaccine allocationDose vaccineSerology testingLimited vaccinesEligible individualsVaccine deploymentVaccination planVaccine supplySusceptible individualsNumber of casesRecovered (SIR) compartmental modelPeak dayUse of antibodiesVaccine allocationVaccinePeak infectionVaccinationSpecific antibodies
2020
Influenza vaccine effectiveness and disease burden in children and adolescents with sickle cell disease: 2012‐2017
Kao CM, Lai K, McAteer JM, Elmontser M, Quincer EM, Yee MEM, Tippet A, Jerris RC, Lane PA, Anderson EJ, Bakshi N, Yildirim I. Influenza vaccine effectiveness and disease burden in children and adolescents with sickle cell disease: 2012‐2017. Pediatric Blood & Cancer 2020, 67: e28358. PMID: 32469138, PMCID: PMC8221251, DOI: 10.1002/pbc.28358.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInfluenza vaccine effectivenessSickle cell diseaseVaccine effectivenessYears of ageInfluenza infectionOdds ratioCell diseaseLaboratory-confirmed influenza infectionSeasonal influenza vaccine effectivenessTest-negative case-control study designAdjusted vaccine effectivenessAdjusted VE estimatesInfluenza-positive casesOverall vaccine effectivenessAcute chest syndromeBurden of influenzaPatients 6 monthsMulticenter prospective studyTest-negative controlsAnnual influenza vaccineCase-control study designConfidence intervalsLogistic regression modelsChest syndromeInfluenza season
2019
Further Evidence of MMR Vaccine Safety: Scientific and Communications Considerations.
Omer SB, Yildirim I. Further Evidence of MMR Vaccine Safety: Scientific and Communications Considerations. Annals Of Internal Medicine 2019, 170: 567-568. PMID: 30831577, DOI: 10.7326/m19-0596.Commentaries, Editorials and LettersHospitalization Is an Underutilized Opportunity to Vaccinate for Influenza
Anderson EJ, Kao C, Yildirim I. Hospitalization Is an Underutilized Opportunity to Vaccinate for Influenza. Mayo Clinic Proceedings 2019, 94: 377-379. PMID: 30832785, DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2019.01.012.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2018
Impact of Pharmacy-Initiated Interventions on Influenza Vaccination Rates in Pediatric Solid Organ Transplant Recipients
Gattis S, Yildirim I, Shane AL, Serluco S, McCracken C, Liverman R. Impact of Pharmacy-Initiated Interventions on Influenza Vaccination Rates in Pediatric Solid Organ Transplant Recipients. Journal Of The Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society 2018, 8: 525-530. PMID: 30307524, DOI: 10.1093/jpids/piy095.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSolid organ transplant recipientsPediatric SOT recipientsInfluenza vaccination ratesOrgan transplant recipientsSOT recipientsTransplant recipientsInfluenza infectionVaccination ratesVaccination coveragePediatric solid organ transplant recipientsSubsequent graft dysfunctionHeart transplant recipientsInfluenza vaccination coveragePre-post study designNumber of patientsRate of vaccinationGraft dysfunctionInfluenza immunizationInfluenza vaccinationChart reviewPharmacy interventionsMedian timeVaccine coverageTransplant servicesInfluenza ratesThe relative invasive disease potential of Streptococcus pneumoniae among children after PCV introduction: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Balsells E, Dagan R, Yildirim I, Gounder PP, Steens A, Muñoz-Almagro C, Mameli C, Kandasamy R, Lavi N, Daprai L, van der Ende A, Trzciński K, Nzenze SA, Meiring S, Foster D, Bulkow LR, Rudolph K, Valero-Rello A, Ducker S, Vestrheim DF, von Gottberg A, Pelton SI, Zuccotti G, Pollard AJ, Sanders EAM, Campbell H, Madhi SA, Nair H, Kyaw MH. The relative invasive disease potential of Streptococcus pneumoniae among children after PCV introduction: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal Of Infection 2018, 77: 368-378. PMID: 29964140, DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2018.06.004.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInvasive pneumococcal diseaseInvasive disease potentialPneumococcal conjugate vaccineNon-vaccine typesPCV introductionPneumococcal diseaseClinical syndromePneumococcal serotypesSurveillance of IPDDisease potentialSystematic reviewCurrent pneumococcal conjugate vaccinesYears of ageRandom-effects modelConjugate vaccineRoutine immunisationDisease presentationFuture vaccinesStreptococcus pneumoniaeSerotype 1SerotypesSyndromeCarriageChildrenVaccine
2015
Pneumococcal Disease in the Era of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine
Yildirim I, Shea KM, Pelton SI. Pneumococcal Disease in the Era of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine. Infectious Disease Clinics Of North America 2015, 29: 679-697. PMID: 26610421, PMCID: PMC4662776, DOI: 10.1016/j.idc.2015.07.009.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPneumococcal conjugate vaccinePneumococcal diseaseConjugate vaccineOtitis mediaUniversal immunizationAcute otitis mediaInvasive pneumococcal diseaseCase fatality rateVulnerable pediatric patientsSpectrum of serotypesCause pneumoniaPediatric patientsComorbid conditionsHealthy childrenFatality rateDiseaseHost susceptibilityImmunizationVaccineHigh rateChildrenEmpyemaMastoiditisPneumoniaPatientsVaccination, Underlying Comorbidities, and Risk of Invasive Pneumococcal Disease
Yildirim I, Shea KM, Little BA, Silverio AL, Pelton SI. Vaccination, Underlying Comorbidities, and Risk of Invasive Pneumococcal Disease. Pediatrics 2015, 135: 495-503. PMID: 25647674, DOI: 10.1542/peds.2014-2426.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsBacterial CapsulesChildChild, PreschoolComorbidityFemaleFollow-Up StudiesHumansIncidenceInfantMaleMassachusettsPneumococcal InfectionsPneumococcal VaccinesPopulation SurveillancePrognosisRetrospective StudiesRisk AssessmentRisk FactorsStreptococcus pneumoniaeVaccinationVaccines, ConjugateConceptsInvasive pneumococcal diseasePneumococcal diseaseUnderlying conditionOutcomes of IPDPrevention of IPDChildhood invasive pneumococcal diseasePneumococcal vaccination statusPolysaccharide pneumococcal vaccineYear of diagnosisPrimary care providersCase fatality rateChronic respiratory diseasesImmunocompromising conditionsIPD diagnosisUnderlying comorbiditiesImmunization PracticesIPD casesPneumococcal vaccineVaccination statusConjugate vaccineMassachusetts childrenClinical presentationSerotype distributionHigher hospitalizationClinical data