We evaluated the clinical protection of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine in healthcare workers (HCWs) and how COVID-19 manifestations and contagiousness change as the time since first dose increases. A matched (1:2 ratio) parallel cohort study was performed. During the first three months of vaccination campaign, HCWs of the entire health district ASL Città di Torino (Turin, Italy) were classified according to SARS-CoV-2-positivity in respect of the vaccination schedule: post-first-dose (fHCWs, <12 days), partially (PHCWs, ≥12 from first dose to ≤7 days after the second), and totally vaccinated (THCWs, ≥8 days after the second dose). Age-/sex-matched unvaccinated controls were randomly selected from all the SARS-CoV-2-positivity detected in the same district and period. Previous infections were excluded. Clinical and virologic data (ORF1ab gene cycle threshold values, Ct) were recorded. In total, 6800 HCWs received at least one dose, and 55 tested positive subsequently: 20 fHCWs, 25 PHCWs, 10 THCWs. Furthermore, 21.8% of breakthrough infections were in male, with a median age of 49 years (32–56), and 51.4% occurred while SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant was predominant. The incident relative risk was 0.13 (0.12–0.15) for PHCWs and 0.06 (0.05–0.07) for THCWs. Compared to controls (n = 110), no difference was observed in fHCWs, while PHCWs and THCWs showed higher prevalence of asymptomatic infections, fewer signs/symptoms with a milder systemic involvement, and significantly higher Ct values (PHCWs 30.3 (24.1–35.5) vs. 22.3 (19.6–30.6), p = 0.023; THCWs 35.0 (31.3–35.9) vs. 22.5 (18.2–30.6), p = 0.024). Duration of symptoms was also shorter in THCWs (5 days (3–6) vs. 9 (7–14), p = 0.028). A linear increase of 3.81 points in Ct values was observed across the groups by vaccination status (p = 0.001) after adjusting for age, sex, comorbidities, and time between COVID-19 onset and swab collection. BNT162b2 decreased the risk of PCR-confirmed infections and severe disease, and was associated with a virologic picture of lesser epidemiologic concern as soon as 12 days after the first vaccine dose.

Clinical phenotype and contagiousness of early breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infections after BNT162b2 COVID-19 mRNA vaccine: A parallel cohort study in healthcare workers

Trunfio M.
First
;
Emanuele T.;Bonora S.;Di Perri G.;Calcagno A.
Last
2021-01-01

Abstract

We evaluated the clinical protection of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine in healthcare workers (HCWs) and how COVID-19 manifestations and contagiousness change as the time since first dose increases. A matched (1:2 ratio) parallel cohort study was performed. During the first three months of vaccination campaign, HCWs of the entire health district ASL Città di Torino (Turin, Italy) were classified according to SARS-CoV-2-positivity in respect of the vaccination schedule: post-first-dose (fHCWs, <12 days), partially (PHCWs, ≥12 from first dose to ≤7 days after the second), and totally vaccinated (THCWs, ≥8 days after the second dose). Age-/sex-matched unvaccinated controls were randomly selected from all the SARS-CoV-2-positivity detected in the same district and period. Previous infections were excluded. Clinical and virologic data (ORF1ab gene cycle threshold values, Ct) were recorded. In total, 6800 HCWs received at least one dose, and 55 tested positive subsequently: 20 fHCWs, 25 PHCWs, 10 THCWs. Furthermore, 21.8% of breakthrough infections were in male, with a median age of 49 years (32–56), and 51.4% occurred while SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant was predominant. The incident relative risk was 0.13 (0.12–0.15) for PHCWs and 0.06 (0.05–0.07) for THCWs. Compared to controls (n = 110), no difference was observed in fHCWs, while PHCWs and THCWs showed higher prevalence of asymptomatic infections, fewer signs/symptoms with a milder systemic involvement, and significantly higher Ct values (PHCWs 30.3 (24.1–35.5) vs. 22.3 (19.6–30.6), p = 0.023; THCWs 35.0 (31.3–35.9) vs. 22.5 (18.2–30.6), p = 0.024). Duration of symptoms was also shorter in THCWs (5 days (3–6) vs. 9 (7–14), p = 0.028). A linear increase of 3.81 points in Ct values was observed across the groups by vaccination status (p = 0.001) after adjusting for age, sex, comorbidities, and time between COVID-19 onset and swab collection. BNT162b2 decreased the risk of PCR-confirmed infections and severe disease, and was associated with a virologic picture of lesser epidemiologic concern as soon as 12 days after the first vaccine dose.
2021
9
12
1
12
BNT162b2; Clinical manifestations; Contagiousness; COVID-19; Cycle threshold; MRNA vaccines; Protection; Symptoms; Vaccine
Trunfio M.; Verga F.; Ghisetti V.; Burdino E.; Emanuele T.; Bonora S.; Di Perri G.; Calcagno A.
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Early breakthrough COVID-19 Trunfio vaccines 2021.pdf

Accesso aperto

Tipo di file: PDF EDITORIALE
Dimensione 1.19 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1.19 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2318/1834972
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 4
  • Scopus 5
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 6
social impact