THE EFFECT OF COVID-19 VACCINATION STATUS ON THE SEVERITY OF INFECTION AMONG HEALTHCARE WORKERS

The COVID-19 pandemic placed healthcare workers (HCWs) at the forefront of infection risk, necessitating urgent evaluation of vaccine effectiveness in this vulnerable population. This study examines the relationship between COVID-19 vaccination status and infection severity among HCWs through a comprehensive analysis of epidemiological data from a tertiary hospital spanning March 2020 to February 2024. A cross-sectional design analyzed 7,049 HCW cases, assessing sociodemographic, clinical, and vaccination factors associated with infection outcomes. Results demonstrated that 83.3% of severe cases occurred among unvaccinated individuals, with vaccination significantly reducing infection risk (OR 0.67; 95% CI 0.51–0.89; p = 0.005). Pooled estimates from systematic review data revealed vaccine effectiveness of 96.1% against hospitalization (95% CI 90.4–98.4%). Older age, hypertension, obesity, and fever presentation were associated with increased severity. Findings underscore vaccination's critical role in protecting HCWs and maintaining healthcare system resilience, with implications for targeted immunization strategies and continuous surveillance protocols in healthcare settings.
Keywords: COVID-19, healthcare workers, vaccination status, infection severity, vaccine effectiveness