Vaccination is effective in preventing the increase of disease, especially emerging infectious diseases (EIDs), and it is particularly important for people in close contact with infected sources and susceptible populations who are at increased risk of getting infectious diseases due to behavior, occupation or health. Despite targeted vaccination guidelines, inadequate vaccination of the key populations fails to receive widespread attention, resulting in a high-risk transition of disease from key populations to general populations. Strengthening the vaccination of the susceptible groups can effectively block the spread of pathogens to general populations, and reduce the consumption of medical resources in universal vaccination, which has significant economic value. In this review, we describe the prevalence of EIDs, analyze the experience and lessons of infectious disease vaccination in key populations through several cases, and further explore the causes for the decline in vaccination rates of key populations. According to the trends of EIDs, a plan to strengthen the vaccination of key populations is proposed to effectively prevent the transition of EIDs from key populations to general populations.

Covaxin and Covishield have been granted approval for emergency medical use in India due to the severity of COVID-19. Both vaccines are safe and effective and have a good immunogenic response. There is no difference between Covaxin and Covishield in terms of dosages and both can be administered as 0.5 mL (containing 6 mg of virus antigen for Covaxin and 5×10¹⁰ virus particles for Covishield) in the upper arm region. Covaxin and Covishield are designed for a two dose schedule, and it is advised that the second dose of Covaxin be administered 4-6 weeks after the first dose while 12-16 weeks after the first dose for Covishield. These vaccines may have several side effects such as swelling and itching at the injection site, joint pain, dizziness, headache, allergic reaction, increased heartbeat, and fever. Appropriate counselling and suggestion should be provided for any symptoms associated with vaccination so that post-vaccinated issues can be managed. Physician and community pharmacists may play a vital role in the management of adverse drug event associated with vaccines.