# Profile, Infection, and Vaccination Uptake: A Cohort of Canadian Retail Workers During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic

## TL;DR

This study tracked Canadian retail workers during the pandemic to understand their SARS-CoV-2 infection rates and vaccination behavior.

## Contribution

The study provides insights into how vaccine uptake and behaviors like travel or gatherings influenced infection and booster rates in retail workers.

## Key findings

- 117 out of 304 participants tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, mostly during the Omicron wave.
- Influenza vaccination and older age were linked to higher likelihood of receiving a SARS-CoV-2 booster.
- Travel and frequent gatherings were associated with lower booster uptake.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: Retail workers may have been at an increased risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 pandemic. To better understand this group, we set up a longitudinal cohort to document the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, vaccination uptake and to study immune response. Methods: Participants were enrolled between 20 April and 22 October 2021 and attended up to 5 visits over 48 weeks. Information collected was: participant characteristics, SARS-CoV-2 detection tests performed, COVID-19 symptoms, and vaccination (influenza and SARS-CoV-2). Findings: We included 304 participants aged 18 to 75; of those, 117 had a first positive SARS-CoV-2 test, mostly (85.5%) during Omicron wave. Forty-two (13.8%) participants got seasonal influenza vaccine within the year (2020–2021) prior to the first visit, and 95.9% had received the primary series of 2 doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine by the beginning of Omicron wave. Participants vaccinated for influenza (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 2.48; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.54–3.98) and older patients (aHR 2.39; 95% CI: 1.40–4.10), were more likely to get a first booster of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine compared to those who did not receive influenza vaccine. In contrast, participants who traveled (aHR 0,62; 95% CI: 0.43–0.91) or participated in frequent gatherings (aHR 0.58; 95% CI: 0.39–0.85) were less likely to be boosted. Conclusions: Variations in vaccine uptake that are usually observed within populations had little effect on completion of the primary SARS-CoV-2 vaccine series. However, these differences became apparent for booster doses, at a period during which most infections in this cohort were recorded.