Breakthrough COVID-19 infections – Analyzing our experience

OBJECTIVE: There are many cases of post-vaccination COVID-19 globally. Also, literature on serum antibodies after vaccination is abundant. Our research focuses on breakthrough infections reported at our institution during the third wave of COVID-19. METHODS: A total of 177 people recruited at the Indus Hospital Karachi between May to September 2021 with COVID-19 infection were divided into vaccinated, partially vaccinated, and unvaccinated cohorts. Furthermore, a subset of the vaccinated cohort was tested for anti-NP and anti-S antibodies. RESULTS: There were 119 patients with breakthrough infection, however, 74% had mild symptoms. The antibodies against NP and S were found at a higher level in those who had a breakthrough infection in comparison to healthy vaccinated controls. CONCLUSION: Vaccination does not prevent disease but does confer some immunity causing less severe infection.