Incidence and severity of COVID-19 infection post-vaccination: a survey among Indian doctors

PURPOSE: The rollout of COVID-19 vaccines began in India in January 2021, with healthcare professionals being the first to receive vaccination. The purpose of this research was to study the incidence and severity of COVID-19 infections among Indian doctors, following vaccination with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 or BBV152. METHODS: We conducted an online voluntary survey among Indian doctors who received one or two doses of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 or BBV152. Questions pertaining to the incidence and severity of COVID-19 infection following vaccination were asked. Data thus obtained were analysed. RESULTS: 9146 doctors were included in this study. 8301 of these received ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, while 845 received BBV152. 2842 (31.07%) respondents reported having a COVID-19 infection following vaccination. Presence of pre-existing medical comorbidities was associated with a higher incidence, while prior COVID-19 infection and two doses of either vaccine were associated with a lower incidence of COVID-19 infection post-vaccination. Exposure to COVID-19 patients on a daily basis did not increase the incidence of COVID-19 infection among doctors who were vaccinated. Increasing age, male gender, presence of pre-existing medical comorbidities, and daily exposure to COVID-19 patients were associated with increased severity of COVID-19 infection after vaccination. Two doses of either vaccine resulted in less severity of disease compared to one dose. CONCLUSION: ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 and BBV152 confer immunity against severe forms of COVID-19 infections. COVID-19 infections prior to vaccination result in a lower incidence of breakthrough infection. Presence of pre-existing medical comorbidities is associated with increased incidence and severity of breakthrough infections.