Association of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status with risk of influenza-like illness and loss of workdays in healthcare workers
Abstract Background In the post-pandemic phase, the value of annual SARS-CoV-2 booster vaccination in healthcare-workers is unclear. In this multicentre cohort study, we sought to determine the association of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status and other risk factors with the occurrence of influenza-like...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Communications Medicine |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s43856-025-01046-8 |
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| author | Tamara Dörr Joanne Lacy Tala Ballouz Alexia Cusini Fabian Grässli Sarah Haile Emina Kocan J. Carsten Möller Milo A. Puhan Matthias Schlegel Matthias von Kietzell Markus Rütti Reto Stocker Danielle Vuichard Gysin Christian R. Kahlert Stefan P. Kuster Philipp Kohler for the SURPRISE+ Study Group |
| author_facet | Tamara Dörr Joanne Lacy Tala Ballouz Alexia Cusini Fabian Grässli Sarah Haile Emina Kocan J. Carsten Möller Milo A. Puhan Matthias Schlegel Matthias von Kietzell Markus Rütti Reto Stocker Danielle Vuichard Gysin Christian R. Kahlert Stefan P. Kuster Philipp Kohler for the SURPRISE+ Study Group |
| author_sort | Tamara Dörr |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background In the post-pandemic phase, the value of annual SARS-CoV-2 booster vaccination in healthcare-workers is unclear. In this multicentre cohort study, we sought to determine the association of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status and other risk factors with the occurrence of influenza-like respiratory illness and workdays lost due to influenza-like respiratory illness. Methods During a period of high SARS-CoV-2 community transmission (November 2023 to May 2024), we collected weekly data on symptoms and sick day leave and used negative binomial regression to identify risk factors for these outcomes among 1745 healthcare workers. To single out the effect of the vaccine and account for potential confounding, additional inverse probability weighted analysis was performed. Results In both analyses, we show that more SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations are associated with a higher risk of influenza-like respiratory illness and workdays lost. For influenza-like respiratory illness, the association is stronger with a more recent timing of the vaccination rather than the number of vaccinations, which suggests that the effect wanes over time. In contrast, seasonal influenza vaccination is associated with a decreased risk for both outcomes. Conclusions Based on our data, we conclude that SARS-CoV-2 booster vaccination does not contribute to the protection of the healthcare workforce in a post-pandemic setting. SARS-CoV-2 vaccination may even temporarily increase the likelihood of symptomatic infection and workday loss. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e5bb826a833d45dab5a731feeec9ef89 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2730-664X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Communications Medicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-e5bb826a833d45dab5a731feeec9ef892025-08-20T04:03:06ZengNature PortfolioCommunications Medicine2730-664X2025-08-01511810.1038/s43856-025-01046-8Association of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status with risk of influenza-like illness and loss of workdays in healthcare workersTamara Dörr0Joanne Lacy1Tala Ballouz2Alexia Cusini3Fabian Grässli4Sarah Haile5Emina Kocan6J. Carsten Möller7Milo A. Puhan8Matthias Schlegel9Matthias von Kietzell10Markus Rütti11Reto Stocker12Danielle Vuichard Gysin13Christian R. Kahlert14Stefan P. Kuster15Philipp Kohler16for the SURPRISE+ Study GroupHOCH, Cantonal Hospital St.Gallen, Division of Infectious Diseases, Infection Prevention and Travel MedicineEpidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute (EBPI), University of ZurichEpidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute (EBPI), University of ZurichCantonal Hospital GraubuendenHOCH, Cantonal Hospital St.Gallen, Division of Infectious Diseases, Infection Prevention and Travel MedicineEpidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute (EBPI), University of ZurichGeriatric Clinic St. GallenCenter for Neurological Rehabilitation ZihlschlachtEpidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute (EBPI), University of ZurichHOCH, Cantonal Hospital St.Gallen, Division of Infectious Diseases, Infection Prevention and Travel MedicineHirslanden Clinic StephanshornFuerstenland Toggenburg Hospital GroupHirslanden Clinic ZurichThurgau Hospital Group, Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital EpidemiologyHOCH, Cantonal Hospital St.Gallen, Division of Infectious Diseases, Infection Prevention and Travel MedicineHOCH, Cantonal Hospital St.Gallen, Division of Infectious Diseases, Infection Prevention and Travel MedicineHOCH, Cantonal Hospital St.Gallen, Division of Infectious Diseases, Infection Prevention and Travel MedicineAbstract Background In the post-pandemic phase, the value of annual SARS-CoV-2 booster vaccination in healthcare-workers is unclear. In this multicentre cohort study, we sought to determine the association of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status and other risk factors with the occurrence of influenza-like respiratory illness and workdays lost due to influenza-like respiratory illness. Methods During a period of high SARS-CoV-2 community transmission (November 2023 to May 2024), we collected weekly data on symptoms and sick day leave and used negative binomial regression to identify risk factors for these outcomes among 1745 healthcare workers. To single out the effect of the vaccine and account for potential confounding, additional inverse probability weighted analysis was performed. Results In both analyses, we show that more SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations are associated with a higher risk of influenza-like respiratory illness and workdays lost. For influenza-like respiratory illness, the association is stronger with a more recent timing of the vaccination rather than the number of vaccinations, which suggests that the effect wanes over time. In contrast, seasonal influenza vaccination is associated with a decreased risk for both outcomes. Conclusions Based on our data, we conclude that SARS-CoV-2 booster vaccination does not contribute to the protection of the healthcare workforce in a post-pandemic setting. SARS-CoV-2 vaccination may even temporarily increase the likelihood of symptomatic infection and workday loss.https://doi.org/10.1038/s43856-025-01046-8 |
| spellingShingle | Tamara Dörr Joanne Lacy Tala Ballouz Alexia Cusini Fabian Grässli Sarah Haile Emina Kocan J. Carsten Möller Milo A. Puhan Matthias Schlegel Matthias von Kietzell Markus Rütti Reto Stocker Danielle Vuichard Gysin Christian R. Kahlert Stefan P. Kuster Philipp Kohler for the SURPRISE+ Study Group Association of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status with risk of influenza-like illness and loss of workdays in healthcare workers Communications Medicine |
| title | Association of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status with risk of influenza-like illness and loss of workdays in healthcare workers |
| title_full | Association of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status with risk of influenza-like illness and loss of workdays in healthcare workers |
| title_fullStr | Association of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status with risk of influenza-like illness and loss of workdays in healthcare workers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Association of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status with risk of influenza-like illness and loss of workdays in healthcare workers |
| title_short | Association of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status with risk of influenza-like illness and loss of workdays in healthcare workers |
| title_sort | association of sars cov 2 vaccination status with risk of influenza like illness and loss of workdays in healthcare workers |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s43856-025-01046-8 |
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