Risk Stratification of SARS-CoV-2 Breakthrough Infections Based on an Outbreak at a Student Festive Event
Ralph Bertram,
Vanessa Bartsch,
Johanna Sodmann,
Luca Hennig,
Engin Müjde,
Jonathan Stock,
Vivienne Ruedig,
Philipp Sodmann,
Daniel Todt,
Eike Steinmann,
Wolfgang Hitzl,
Joerg Steinmann
Affiliations
Ralph Bertram
Institute of Clinical Hygiene, Medical Microbiology and Infectiology, Klinikum Nürnberg, Paracelsus Medical University, 90419 Nuremberg, Germany
Vanessa Bartsch
Study Program in Human Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, 90419 Nuremberg, Germany
Johanna Sodmann
Study Program in Human Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, 90419 Nuremberg, Germany
Luca Hennig
Study Program in Human Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, 90419 Nuremberg, Germany
Engin Müjde
Study Program in Human Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, 90419 Nuremberg, Germany
Jonathan Stock
Study Program in Human Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, 90419 Nuremberg, Germany
Vivienne Ruedig
Study Program in Human Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, 90419 Nuremberg, Germany
Philipp Sodmann
Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany
Daniel Todt
Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
Eike Steinmann
Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
Wolfgang Hitzl
Department of Research and Innovation Management, Biostatistics and Publication of Clinical Trial Studies, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Joerg Steinmann
Institute of Clinical Hygiene, Medical Microbiology and Infectiology, Klinikum Nürnberg, Paracelsus Medical University, 90419 Nuremberg, Germany
In early 2022, the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains a global challenge. COVID-19 is caused by an increasing number of variants of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Here, we report an outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections related to a student festive event with 100 mostly vaccinated guests, which took place in Northern Bavaria, Germany, in October 2021. The data were obtained by retrospective guest interviews. In total, 95 students participated in the study, with 94 being fully vaccinated and 24 reporting infection by the delta variant. Correlation analyses among 15 examined variables revealed that time spent at the event, conversation with the supposed index person, and a homologous viral vector vaccination regime were significant risk factors for infection. Non-significant observations related to higher rates of infection included time since last vaccination, shared use of drinking vessels, and number of individual person-to-person contacts at the event. Our data suggest that a high rate of breakthrough infections with the delta variant occurs if no preventive measures are practiced. To limit infection risk, high-quality testing of participants should be considered a mandatory measure at gatherings, irrespective of the participants’ vaccination status.
