COVID-19 vaccines are effective at preventing symptomatic and severe infection among healthcare workers: A clinical review

Oliver Galgut; Fiona Ashford; Alexandra Deeks; Andeep Ghataure; Mimia Islam; Tanvir Sambhi; Yiu Wayn Ker; Christopher J.A. Duncan; Thushan I. de Silva; Susan Hopkins; Victoria Hall; Paul Klenerman; Susanna Dunachie; Alex Richter

Vaccine: X (Oct 2024)

COVID-19 vaccines are effective at preventing symptomatic and severe infection among healthcare workers: A clinical review

Oliver Galgut,
Fiona Ashford,
Alexandra Deeks,
Andeep Ghataure,
Mimia Islam,
Tanvir Sambhi,
Yiu Wayn Ker,
Christopher J.A. Duncan,
Thushan I. de Silva,
Susan Hopkins,
Victoria Hall,
Paul Klenerman,
Susanna Dunachie,
Alex Richter

Affiliations

Oliver Galgut: Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK; NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK; Corresponding author at: Clinical Immunology Service, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
Fiona Ashford: Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
Alexandra Deeks: NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
Andeep Ghataure: College of Medical and Dental Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
Mimia Islam: College of Medical and Dental Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
Tanvir Sambhi: College of Medical and Dental Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
Yiu Wayn Ker: College of Medical and Dental Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
Christopher J.A. Duncan: Translational and Clinical Research Institute Immunity and Inflammation Theme, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK; Department of Infection and Tropical Medicine, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle, UK
Thushan I. de Silva: Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; Vaccines and Immunity Theme, Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, PO Box 273, Fajara, the Gambia
Susan Hopkins: United Kingdom Health Security Agency, Colindale, London, UK; Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, UK
Victoria Hall: United Kingdom Health Security Agency, Colindale, London, UK; NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare Associated Infection and Antimicrobial Resistance, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
Paul Klenerman: NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK; Translational Gastroenterology Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
Susanna Dunachie: NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK; NDM Centre For Global Health Research, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Bangkok, Thailand
Alex Richter: Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 20
p. 100546

Abstract

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Introduction: Health care workers (HCWs) have been at increased risk of infection during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and as essential workers have been prioritised for vaccination. Due to increased exposure HCW are considered a predictor of what might happen in the general population, particularly working age adults. This study aims to summarise effect of vaccination in this ‘at risk’ cohort. Methods: Ovid MEDLINE and Embase were searched, and 358 individual articles were identified. Of these 49 met the inclusion criteria for review and 14 were included in a meta-analysis. Results: Participants included were predominantly female and working age. Median time to infection was 51 days. Reported vaccine effectiveness against infection, symptomatic infection, and infection requiring hospitalisation were between 5 and 100 %, 34 and 100 %, and 65 and 100 % (respectively). No vaccinated HCW deaths were recorded in any study. Pooled estimates of protection against infection, symptomatic infection, and hospitalisation were, respectively, 84.7 % (95 % CI 72.6–91.5 %, p < 0.0001), 86.0 % (95 % CI 67.2 %-94.0 %; p < 0.0001), and 96.1 % (95 % CI 90.4 %-98.4 %). Waning protection against infection was reported by four studies, although protection against hospitalisation for severe infection persists for at least 6 months post vaccination. Conclusions: Vaccination against SARS-CoV2 in HCWs is protective against infection, symptomatic infection, and hospitalisation. Waning protection is reported but this awaits more mature studies to understand durability more clearly. This study is limited by varying non-pharmacological responses to COVID-19 between included studies, a predominantly female and working age population, and limited information on asymptomatic transmission or long COVID protection.

Published in Vaccine: X

ISSN: 2590-1362 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Specialties of internal medicine: Immunologic diseases. Allergy
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/vaccine-x

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