Factors associated with COVID-19 breakthrough infections in large midwestern healthcare system: Implications for vulnerable healthcare personnel

Anne Rivelli, Veronica Fitzpatrick, Kenneth Copeland, Jon Richards, Advocate Hematology/Oncology Faculty - Lutheran General

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objective The aim of the study is to identify factors associated with breakthrough infection among a cohort of Midwestern healthcare personnel (HCP). Methods SARS-CoV-2-positive test results between March 1, 2020, and July 31, 2021, were collected from electronic medical records of HCP to identify breakthrough infections. Results Healthcare personnel who were younger than 35 years, received the Pfizer vaccine, and worked in COVID clinical units had greater adjusted odds of breakthrough infection. COVID infection before full vaccination was associated with reduced odds of breakthrough infection. Conclusions Our study concluded that the most vulnerable HCP are younger, working in COVID-19 clinical units, and received Pfizer-BioNTech primary series vaccines. Healthcare personnel who had COVID before vaccination were at reduced risk of breakthrough infection, indicating that supplemental immunity could better protect at-risk HCP groups.

Original languageAmerican English
JournalJournal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
DOIs
StatusPublished - Aug 1 2022

Keywords

  • COVID-19 (epidemiology
  • prevention & control)
  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • Delivery of Health Care
  • Health Personnel
  • Humans
  • SARS-CoV-2

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