Trends and profile of SARS-CoV-2 infection following COVID vaccination among health-care workers

Abstract

Introduction: Health-care workers (HCWs) across the country were administered Covishield (COVID vaccination) in a phased manner. This study aimed to explore the trends in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection postvaccination among HCWs, with a view of the demographic and clinical features among a subset of those affected. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed at a tertiary care center among HCWs who were affected following vaccination during the period April 2021–October 2022. A Google Form was sent out to assess the disease profile and transmission dynamics of which a subset was returned. Results: A total of 1657 HCWs tested positive for coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) during the period April 2021–October 2022. Of these, 77.42% were females and 92.67% were completely vaccinated. Nurses were the majority (46.30%) and the least-doctors (6.63%). The most common symptom presentation was cough (76.90%) and fever (73.50%), whereas anosmia, ageusia, and breathing difficulty were minimal. The mean duration between second dose and turning positive was between 165.54 ± 121.98 days. Among HCWs who turned positive, only 7.10% required hospital admission and only one person needed intensive care unit admission. Among those who reported positive, 54.60% mentioned that their close contacts subsequently turned positive. Of these, workplace and household contacts were 49.2% and 46.2%, respectively. Conclusion: The predominant symptoms in COVID-19 infection postvaccination are fever, cough, and myalgia. However, the severity of the infection was decreased, requiring mostly home isolation. Transmission of infection was mainly to household and workplace close contacts.

Keywords

• health-care workers; hospitalization; postvaccination covid infection; time period for infection