Assessment of Breakthrough infection among people diagnosed with COVID-19 Infection at Tertiary Care Hospital in Rishikesh: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: The second wave of Covid-19 in India declined in July 2021.A contagious variant known as Omicron variant replaced the delta variant as the dominant variant which was seen in different parts of the country in the third wave. At the same time the incidence of COVID-19 Breakthrough infections was also began to emerge and many cases were detected in due course of time. Objective: The present study was done to estimate the prevalence of breakthrough infection of Covid-19 (SARSCoV-2) infection in those who are fully vaccinated with either AZD1222 (ChAdOx1-S) or BBV152 vaccine and its clinical outcome among the Vaccinated beneficiary. The secondary objective is to assess the Sociodemographic and Clinical profile of people who are tested positive for the COVID-19 infection. Methodology: A descriptive Cross-sectional study was conducted. All People who came to the screening OPD for COVID 19 screening at AIIMS Rishikesh during 1st January 2022 till 30th March, 2022 were included and those being tested negative or didn’t give consent were excluded. Systematic random sampling was used while selecting participants. Results: The proportion of breakthrough infection is (82.9 %) among those who are tested positive for the COVID 19 infection. Among HCWs it is 100 % and among Non-Health care worker it is 92.7 %. The symptoms in the Breakthrough infection in vaccinated people are usually milder and may result in very fewer hospitalizations. Vaccination have an obvious advantage in averting severe disease, hospitalization and deaths. Conclusion: This study also indicates that even after vaccination, people needs to follow COVID-19 appropriate behavior and Non-pharmaceutical interventions. The high breakthrough infection reflects that in addition to vaccination which is a critical component of the prevention measure we need to adopt multiple strategies like following the COVID-19 appropriate behavior and Non-pharmaceutical interventions. Also there should be a continuous monitoring of post vaccination breakthrough infection which should be done by all countries.