Descriptive study of COVID-19 vaccinations and infections within an NHS workforce

• Published in: Occupational medicine (Oxford) 2024-02, Vol.74 (1), p.120-127
• Main Authors: Ke, M, Soothill, G, Wilson, K, Swietlik, S, Leckie, A, Sutherland, R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: COVID-19 - epidemiology; COVID-19 - prevention & control; COVID-19 Vaccines; Cross Infection; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Personnel, Hospital; SARS-CoV-2; State Medicine; Vaccination; Workforce
• ISSN: 0962-7480; 1471-8405
• DOI: 10.1093/occmed/kqad126

Abstract Background Healthcare workers were a priority group for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination during the pandemic. Occupational exposure may account for some of the increased risk faced. Aims Describe COVID-19 vaccine uptake and infection rates in staff across a large NHS board in Scotland to better understand occupational risk during the pandemic. Methods Descriptive cross-sectional study. Demographic data were extracted on 5 August 2021 from 26 058 members of staff. COVID-19 vaccination status and positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results were extracted on two separate dates to describe the timeline of staff infections between March 2020 and January 2022. Results There was high uptake of all three vaccine doses across all demographic groups in hospital staff. PCR positivity decreased with increasing age and Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation score. Staff and nosocomial COVID-19 infections followed peaks in community infection rates. Conclusions NHS Lothian is a typical NHS workforce with good vaccine uptake. Beyond very early cases, there seems to be minimal evidence of occupational acquisition of COVID-19. The large number of nosocomial infections at the start of the pandemic may, in fact, reflect lack of community testing at this time. Despite protection from high vaccine coverage, job type and good Infection Prevention and Control practices, it seems that staff remain at high risk of catching the highly transmissible omicron variant from the community rather than work. Descriptive study exploring staff uptake of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination and differences in staff COVID-19 infection across a large NHS Board in Scotland. There appeared to be little occupational acquisition of COVID-19, presumably due to high vaccine coverage and good Infection Prevention and Control measures; however, staff remain at risk from high rates of transmission in the community with less rigorous Infection Prevention and Control measures in place.