SARS-CoV-2 infection risk in COVISHIELD (AstraZeneca-SII) Vaccinated Healthcare Workers in a Tertiary Cancer Care Centre of North-East India

Abstract

ABSTRACTCOVID-19 vaccination of Healthcare workers and vulnerable groups remain priority in containing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection and health complications arising post COVID-19. In India, COVISHIELD is the major part of COVID-19 vaccination drive. post-vaccination SARS-CoV-2 infection risk and its impact on severity as well as mortality need to be assessed in vaccinated population. The study included 350 COVISHIELD vaccinated HCWs in tertiary cancer care centre of North-East India. A total of 16 symptomatic HCWs (4.57%) were confirmed as SARS-CoV-2 positive. Among SARS-CoV-2 positive FV HCWs none were positive within 14 days, 13.33 % within 15 to 30 days, 53.33% within 30 to 45 days, and 33.33% after 45 or more days. None of the SARS-CoV-2 positive HCWs required oxygen support or hospitalisation. We also found that 66.67% FV HCWs (n=10) had Ct values below 20, 20% (n=3) had Ct values in between 20-25 and 13.33% (n=2) had Ct values in between 30 to 35. In North-East India COVISHIELD FV HCWs HCW,SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 symptoms were mild. Majority of FV HCWs have RT-PCR COVID-19 positive Ct Value was below 20. SARS-CoV-2 infection occurred mostly after 15 days to 45 days or more post vaccination.