PhD defence Céline Johanna Angelique van Bilsen

Keywords: COVID-19, Cross-border research, Vaccination, Social networks

"Mapping COVID-19 Impact: Cross-border Mobility, Social Networks, Vaccination, and Post-COVID Condition"

In this dissertation, the impact of COVID-19 was mapped through epidemiological studies. A cross-border study in the Euregio Meuse-Rhine (the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany) showed that many residents regularly crossed the border for social contacts and everyday activities. During the pandemic, this decreased substantially, and border restrictions were often perceived negatively. Booster vaccine intentions also differed between the three countries. In addition, studies among adults in South Limburg examined associations between the social and environmental context and vaccination behavior, showing that characteristics of the social network, such as its size and diversity, are associated with COVID-19 vaccination behavior. Finally, the PRIME post-COVID study compared work participation between participants with long COVID, those who had recovered, and people without long COVID. Participants with long COVID more often reported work loss and reduced work productivity. In addition, recovery from long COVID was limited, particularly in those with more severe illness.

Together, these findings highlight the importance of attention to social dynamics in border regions and of support for people with persistent post-infectious symptoms. This dissertation therefore underscores the multifaceted impact of COVID-19 on individuals and society and provides starting points for future research and policy.

Click here for the live stream.