Abstract
In a large cohort of United States healthcare personnel without prior coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, 94 382 doses of messenger RNA (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccine were administered ...to 49 220 individuals. The adjusted vaccine effectiveness following 2 doses of each of the 2 available brands of mRNA vaccine exceeded 96%.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is a critical aspect of preventing the transmission of severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in healthcare settings. We aimed to identify ...factors related to lapses in PPE use that may influence transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from patients to healthcare personnel (HCP).
Retrospective cohort study.
Tertiary-care medical center in Minnesota.
In total, 345 HCP who sustained a significant occupational exposure to a patient with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) from May 13, 2020, through November 30, 2020, were evaluated.
Overall, 8 HCP (2.3%) were found to have SARS-CoV-2 infection during their 14-day postexposure quarantine. A lack of eye protection during the care of a patient with COVID-19 was associated with HCP testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) during the postexposure quarantine (relative risk RR, 10.25; 95% confidence interval CI, 1.28-82.39;
= .009). Overall, the most common reason for a significant exposure was the use of a surgical face mask instead of a respirator during an aerosol-generating procedure (55.9%). However, this was not associated with HCP testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 during the postexposure quarantine (RR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.96-1;
= 1). Notably, transmission primarily occurred in units that did not regularly care for patients with COVID-19.
The use of universal eye protection is a critical aspect of PPE to prevent patient-to-HCP transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
COVID-19 vaccination remains one of the most effective tools to reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Unfortunately, vaccine hesitancy has limited primary vaccination and booster uptake among the ...general population and HCWs. To gain a better understanding of factors associated with booster vaccine uptake, we analyzed COVID-19 vaccine booster rates among HCWs and identified risk factors associated with nonacceptance.
Of the 62,387 HCWs included in our analysis, the overall booster uptake rate was 64.8%. Older age, Non-Hispanic White racial group, early initial vaccine uptake and longer duration of employment were associated with higher booster uptake. Significant differences were observed between different job categories.
This persistence of vaccine hesitancy and disparities in COVID-19 booster uptake among HCWs, almost 2 years after the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination, call for further efforts to increase vaccine confidence among HCWs and the general population in light of the continued need for further COVID-19 protection.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
To assess the rate and factors associated with healthcare personnel (HCP) testing positive for severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) after an occupational exposure.
Retrospective ...cohort study.
Academic medical center with sites in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Arizona, and Florida.
HCP with a high or medium risk occupational exposure to a patient or other HCP with SARS-CoV-2.
We reviewed the records of HCP with significant occupational exposures from March 20, 2020, through December 31, 2020. We then performed regression analysis to assess the impact of demographic and occupational variables to assess their impact on the likelihood of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2.
In total, 2,253 confirmed occupational exposures occurred during the study period. Employees were the source for 57.1% of exposures. Overall, 101 HCP (4.5%) tested positive in the postexposure period. Of these, 80 had employee sources of exposure and 21 had patient sources of exposure. The postexposure infection rate was 6.2% when employees were the source, compared to 2.2% with patient sources. In a multivariate analysis, occupational exposure from an employee source had a higher risk of testing positive compared to a patient source (odds ratio OR, 3.22; 95% confidence interval CI, 1.72-6.04). Sex, age, high-risk exposure, and HCP role were not associated with an increased risk of testing positive.
The risk of acquiring coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) following a significant occupational exposure has remained relatively low, even in the prevaccination era. Exposure to an infectious coworker carries a higher risk than exposure to a patient. Continued vigilance and precautions remain necessary in healthcare settings.
The aim of the study is to identify lessons learned implementing JYNNEOS vaccination for laboratory workers exposed to orthopoxviruses such as mpox.
Workers at risk of laboratory exposure were ...offered vaccine in a carefully planned occupational health program. Vaccine was procured from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Drug Service, which has special requirements. Reasons for accepting or declining vaccine and adverse effects were obtained by survey.
Most workers accepted JYNNEOS, and occupational risk was the most commonly cited reason for acceptance. Most experienced mild local adverse effects. The administrative requirements of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Drug Service are documented.
Occupational health programs caring for laboratory workers handling unusual biological agents require careful planning and coordination to facilitate access to vaccines that are not commercially available, anticipate and mitigate barriers to vaccination, and comply with special Centers for Disease Control and Prevention requirements.
In a large cohort of US healthcare personnel (HCP) without prior COVID-19 infection, 94,382 doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine were administered to 49,220 individuals. The adjusted vaccine effectiveness ...following two doses of each of the two available brands of mRNA vaccine exceeded 96%.
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