Rates of SARS-CoV-2 Breakthrough Infection or Severe COVID-19 and Associated Risk Factors After Primary and Booster Vaccination Against COVID-19 in the Netherlands

TL;DR

This study examines how well COVID-19 vaccines work over time in the Netherlands, focusing on breakthrough infections and severe cases after primary and booster shots.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into the effectiveness of booster vaccinations and identifies risk factors for severe outcomes in vaccinated individuals.

Findings

Booster vaccination reduced breakthrough infections but did not fully prevent them.

Older age and certain comorbidities increased the risk of severe COVID-19 after vaccination.

Lower socioeconomic status was associated with higher risk of severe outcomes.

Abstract

Background: The effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines appears to decline rapidly over time due to waning immunity and immune evasion by emerging variants of concern, and may be reduced in high-risk populations. We aimed to evaluate the rates of SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection or severe COVID-19, both in individuals who had completed their primary COVID-19 vaccination, and in those who had received their first booster vaccination. Specifically, we aimed to evaluate whether persons with certain risk factors, such as age, gender, socioeconomic status (SES), and specified comorbidities have an increased risk of either breakthrough infection or severe COVID-19, compared to those without the respective risk factors. Methods: Data on COVID-19 vaccinations, infections, hospitalizations, and deaths were collected from the PHARMO Data Network, consisting of health records from Dutch residents. Two cohorts were established: (1) all persons who have completed their primary COVID-19 vaccination regimen, and (2) those who have received their first booster vaccination. The outcomes were SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection, and severe COVID-19, defined as either hospitalization or death following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Incidence rates of these outcomes were calculated in both cohorts. The adjusted incidence rate ratios of these outcomes in persons with certain risk factors were calculated, using generalized linear models with a Poisson distribution. Results: In 2021, a total of 1,090,567 individuals received either two doses of BNT162b2, AZD1222, or mRNA-1273, or one dose of Ad26.COV2.S and were included in the primary vaccination cohort, of which 344,153 (31.6%) received a booster vaccination. Overall incidence rates of SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection and severe COVID-19 after primary vaccination were 29.9 and 3.1 per 1000 person-years, respectively, and after booster vaccination were 256.4 and 2.3, respectively. Male gender, older age, lower SES, history of COVID-19, and recent hospitalization were factors associated with a lower risk of breakthrough infection after primary vaccination, and a higher risk of severe COVID-19. The risk of severe COVID-19 after primary vaccination was increased in persons with several comorbidities, compared to those without, and remained elevated after booster vaccination in persons with diabetes or lung disease. Conclusions: Our study emphasizes the crucial role of boosters in reducing breakthrough infections, particularly in high-risk populations. The varied impact on severe outcomes in individuals with comorbidities underscores the need for ongoing surveillance and tailored vaccination strategies.

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