Rapid decrease of SARS-CoV-2 circulation in a large Italian hospital six weeks after the start of the immunization program

Stefanizzi, Pasquale; Martinelli, Andrea; Ferorelli, Davide; Soldano, Stefano; Marra, Matthew; Dell’Aera, Marzia; Dattoli,; Vimercati, Luigi; Tafuri, Silvio

doi:10.1016/j.jhin.2021.03.016

Cited by 9 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…On the one hand, this is a limitation of our study, on the other it is a strength in regards to the effectiveness of the application of prevention and protection measures in a pandemic context. Furthermore, in the near future, the reported data will be related to the benefits of the current vaccination campaign [ 33 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association between Long COVID and Overweight/Obesity

Vimercati

Maria

Quarato

et al. 2021

JCM

101

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Background: Long COVID is a syndrome characterized by the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 infection symptoms. Among HCWs, prolonged COVID symptoms could lead to the inability to perform work tasks. The aim of this study is to investigate 35-day long-COVID (35-LC) characteristics and risk factors in a one-year period. Methods: We carried out a retrospective cohort study during the COVID-19 pandemic at University Hospital of Bari. A total of 5750 HCWs were tested for close contact with a confirmed case, in the absence of personal protective equipment, or for symptom development. Results: Each positive HCW was investigated for cardiovascular risk factors or respiratory diseases. An amount of 352 HCWs (6.1%) were infected by SARS-CoV-2, and 168 cases evolved to long COVID. The 35-LC group showed mean BMI values higher than the non-35-LC group (25.9 kg/m2 vs. 24.8 kg/m2, respectively), and this difference was significant (p-value: 0.020). Moreover, HCWs who suffered from pulmonary disease (OR = 3.7, CL 95%: 1.35–10.53; p-value = 0.007) or overweight (OR = 1.6 CL 95%: 1.05–2.56; p-value = 0.029) had an increased risk of developing 35-LC. Conclusions: Long COVID is an emerging problem for hospital managers as it may reduce the number of HCWs deployed in the fight against COVID-19. High BMI and previous pulmonary disease could be risk factors for 35-LC development in exposed HCWs.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association between Long COVID and Overweight/Obesity

Vimercati

Maria

Quarato

et al. 2021

JCM

101

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“…On the contrary, harder interventions such as mandatory vaccination policies or mandatory declination proved effective in reaching flu vaccination coverage in HCWs of over 90% [ 63 ]. Although a hard debate on mandatory flu vaccination for HCWs is long-standing and still in place [ 64 , 65 ], the extremely positive results obtained through mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for HCWs in Italy, both in terms of immunization rates (>98%) [ 66 ] and prevented infections [ 67 , 68 , 69 ], allow us to conclude that influenza vaccination coverage among HCWs would undoubtedly benefit from this policy.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As co-vaccination emerged as a promising tool to consolidate flu immunization rates [ 56 ], this should be firmly encouraged and persuaded, also through optimal logistical organization. Finally, given the unquestionable results, in terms of immunization rates and the mitigation of COVID-19 burden, achieved by mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for HCWs in Italy [ 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 ], also mandating influenza vaccination [ 63 ] would be another powerful if not decisive arrow in our quiver.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 and Influenza Vaccination Campaign in a Research and University Hospital in Milan, Italy

Lecce

Biganzoli

Agnello

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are a historical key target of influenza vaccination programs. For the 2021–2022 season, WHO considered the coadministration of a flu and a COVID-19 vaccine as acceptable and recommended it to allow for higher uptake of both vaccines. The aim of this study was to investigate demographic and occupational features of vaccinated HCWs, reasons behind flu vaccine acceptance and a possible effect of the coadministration of a COVID-19 vaccine, in order to potentially draw general conclusions on HCWs’ attitude towards flu vaccination and inform further strategies for consistent improvement of vaccine acceptance. Methods: a promotional and educational campaign, a gaming strategy, and vaccination delivery through both a large central hub and on-site ambulatories, were the implemented strategies. In the central hub, the flu/COVID-19 vaccine coadministration was offered. Statistical descriptive analysis, multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) and logistic regression models were performed. Results: 2381 HCWs received the flu vaccine, prompting a vaccination coverage rate (VCR) of 52.0% versus 43.1% in the 2020–2021 campaign. Furthermore, 50.6% vaccinated HCWs belonged to the 18–39 years-old age group. The most expressed reasons for vaccine uptake were “Vaccination is the most effective strategy of prevention” (n = 1928, 81.0%), “As HCW it’s my duty to get vaccinated to protect my patients” (n = 766, 32.2%), and the group of COVID-19-related reasons (n = 586, 24.6%). In addition, 23.3% HCWs received the flu vaccine in the current campaign but not in the previous one (newly vaccinated) and the flu/COVID-19 vaccine coadministration was more frequent in this group. A total of 51.0% HCWs were hesitant towards the coadministration, while residents and nurses showed the highest propensity to receive it. Conclusions: in the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fondazione’s influenza VCR continued to increase, with the greatest participation among HCWs aged 18–39 years. A potential propelling role of the COVID-19 vaccine coadministration was highlighted.

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“…High transmission rate of SARS-CoV-2 poses healthcare workers at risk whenever they are in contact with infected patients. 1,2 Globally, healthcare workers (HCWs) constitute nearly 7% of all COVID-19 cases. 2 A prospective cohort study of a large healthcare worker population in the USA and UK revealed more than three times higher risk of infection amongst HCWs than the general population.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…1,2 Globally, healthcare workers (HCWs) constitute nearly 7% of all COVID-19 cases. 2 A prospective cohort study of a large healthcare worker population in the USA and UK revealed more than three times higher risk of infection amongst HCWs than the general population. 3 In developing countries, the more HCWs get infected, the more disrupted health system will be.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of contact tracing surveillance for COVID-19 among healthcare workers in secondary referral hospital, Indonesia

et al. 2022

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Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are more vulnerable to COVID-19 infection. Tracing and screening cases among healthcare workers are essential to overcome the spread of COVID-19. We held surveillance at the second-referral hospital in Surabaya, Indonesia, to inspect the associating factors of infected HCWs. Methods: From 776 HCWs, we conducted a structured retrospective review of all COVID-19-confirmed HCWs and ones having contact with COVID-19 patients between February-July 2021. We associated general characteristics (i.e age, gender, working sites, etc) of the sample with the positive cases, analyzed the vaccination status, then did bivariate and multivariate regression logistic analyses to determine related factors putting HCWs at risk for COVID-19 infection. Results: Bivariate analysis significantly revealed that 72.86% patients had a close contact (OR = 2.61; p<0.05), with medical staffs as the most frequent source (85.71%; OR = 2.19; p=0.033), for > 15 minutes contact duration (90%; OR = 1.1; p<0.05). Healthcare workers wearing proper PPE (N-95 and face shields) were significantly less exposed to COVID-19 (OR = 0.47; p<0.05; and OR = 0.46; p<0.05). Even fully-vaccinated samples were still prone to infection. (OR=1.25; p= 0.042). Common symptoms consisted of fever, rhinorrhea, sore throat, and vomiting (p=0.025l p=0.002; p<0.05; p=0.002). Multivariate regression logistic analysis disclosed that the use of N95 masks, contact duration >15 minutes, and the vaccine were the most influential factors (aOR = 1.72. 95% CI (1.029-2.88); aOR = 3.92. 95% CI (1.75-8.78); aOR = 0.39. 95% CI (0.13-0.82 )) Conclusions: Close contact, lack of compliance in wearing N95 masks, and unvaccinated status are risk factors for COVID-19 exposure to HCWs; thus, to achieve maximum prevention of intra-hospital transmission, the use of N-95 masks, contact avoidance, and vaccination, along with immediate tracing and strict health-protocols are all compulsory.

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Rapid decrease of SARS-CoV-2 circulation in a large Italian hospital six weeks after the start of the immunization program

Cited by 9 publications

References 4 publications

Association between Long COVID and Overweight/Obesity

Association between Long COVID and Overweight/Obesity

COVID-19 and Influenza Vaccination Campaign in a Research and University Hospital in Milan, Italy

Analysis of contact tracing surveillance for COVID-19 among healthcare workers in secondary referral hospital, Indonesia

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