Severity of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection in vaccinated healthcare workers

The most appropriate approach to control the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic is the widespread adoption of vaccination. Several vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 have been developed and authorized for use in various geographical regions. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the vaccination agents presently utilized by healthcare workers (HCWs), and to investigate whether different COVID-19 vaccines would result in the alleviation of symptoms and the severity of clinical presentation.

This multi-center survey was conducted on 329 vaccinated HCWs who were reinfected with COVID-19 between January 8, 2021 and April 8, 2021, in Tehran, Iran.

Overall, 92.1% and 70.8% of the participants had received 2 and 3 cumulative doses of COVID-19 vaccines, respectively. There were no differences between first/second and third-dose vaccines with the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Expectedly, vaccination resulted in a less severe clinical presentation of SARS-CoV-2 infection, as reported by the participants.

The results suggest that the efficacy of the vaccination agents presently utilized by HCWs was acceptable with no significant difference in vaccine type. Participants receiving at least two doses of vaccines in this survey exceeded 90%, which is comparably higher than studies conducted in other countries.