Clinical and Laboratory Features in the Israeli Population with COVID-19 Infection after Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA Booster Vaccination

Ariel Israel, Eugene Merzon, Yotam Shenhar, Ilan Green, Avivit Golan-Cohen, Alejandro A. Schäffer, Eytan Ruppin, Shlomo Vinker, Eli Magen*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Immune protection following either vaccination or infection with SARS-CoV-2 decreases over time. Objective: We aim to describe clinical and sociodemographic characteristics associated with COVID-19 infection at least 14 days after booster vaccination in the Israeli population. Methods: We conducted a population-based study among adult members of Leumit Health Services (LHS) in Israel. Nasopharyngeal swabs were examined for SARS-CoV-2 by real-time RT-PCR. The hematological and biochemical parameters in the peripheral blood before booster vaccination were evaluated. Results: Between 1 February 2021 and 30 November 2021, 136,683 individuals in LHS were vaccinated with a booster (third dose) of the BNT162b2 vaccine. Of these, 1171 (0.9%) were diagnosed with COVID-19 by testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR at least >14 days after the booster vaccination. The COVID-19-positive group was characterized by higher rates of chronic kidney disease than the matched COVID-19-negative group (43 (3.7%) vs. 3646 (2.7%); p = 0.039). Anemia, lower peripheral blood lymphocytes, monocytes, basophils, C3 Complement, cholesterol, and prothrombin time were also associated with COVID-19 after booster vaccination. Conclusion: People with chronic kidney disease and anemia should be included in possible future annual SARS-CoV-2 vaccination recommendations.

Original languageEnglish
Article number636
JournalVaccines
Volume10
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2022

Funding

FundersFunder number
Leumit Health Services

    Keywords

    • BNT162b2
    • SARS-CoV-2
    • convalescents
    • infection
    • mRNA
    • vaccine

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