Effects of COVID-19 vaccination type and doses on symptoms and hospitalization of healthcare professionals having SARS-CoV2 infection
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Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Bezmialem Vakif University, Türkiye
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Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Bezmialem Vakif University, Turkiye
Publication date: 2023-04-27
Popul. Med. 2023;5(Supplement):A329
ABSTRACT
Background:It is an important issue for public health to protect healthcare prefessionals who are fighting the virus most closely in the COVID-19 pandemic from illness and hospitalization with vaccines. It was aimed to investigate the effects of different types and numbers of vaccines administered for COVID-19 in isolated healthcare professionals in Turkey on symptoms and hospitalization. Methods :Between February2021-March2022, questionnaire were applied to healthcare professionals who tested positive for COVID-19 infection, at home or on the first day of the isolation process in the hospital, by telephone interview. The data obtained were evaluated as a retrospective cohort study. Results:71.3%of the people in the study(N=690) were female, mean age was 31.6 ± 8.9 years. 634people(91.9%) said they had at least one dose of vaccine, 150people(21.7%) said they had COVID at least once before our follow-up. 182people(26.4%) who had at least one dose of vaccine received only sinovac vaccine,112people(16.2%) received only biontech vaccine and 293people(42.5%) received both vaccine types. The most common symptoms on the first day of our calls among 690people were nasal discharge/congestion(58.8%), cough(57.0%), musculoskeletal pain(56.5%), sore throat(55.5%) and fever/chills/chills(43.2%). After the diagnosis of COVID-19 14people(2.0%) were hospitalized. Hospitalization was found to be statistically higher in those who were not vaccinated(p=0.003). The rate of loss of taste and smell and dizziness were found to be statistically higher in the unvaccinated compared to the vaccinated(respectivelyp=0.036,0.032,0.030) Conclusions:The high rate of hospitalization, loss of taste and smell, and dizziness in unvaccinated patients is an important indicator of workforce loss in healthcare professionals and poses a serious threat to public health. Giving priority to healthcare professionals in vaccination programs is extremely important for the uninterrupted continuation of health services in future pandemics. The continuation of this study with a larger sample is an significant issue that should be considered in terms of protecting public health.