Effectiveness of the autumn 2023 COVID-19 vaccine dose in hospital-based healthcare workers: results of the VEBIS healthcare worker vaccine effectiveness cohort study, seven European countries, season 2023/24

Euro Surveill. 2024 Oct;29(44):2400680. doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2024.29.44.2400680.

Abstract

COVID-19 vaccination recommendations include healthcare workers (HCWs). We measured COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness (CVE) of the autumn 2023 dose against laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in a prospective cohort study of 1,305 HCWs from 13 European hospitals. Overall CVE was 22% (95% CI: -17 to 48), 49% (95% CI: -8 to 76) before and -11% (95% CI: -84 to 34) after the start of BA.2.86/JN.1 predominant circulation. Autumn 2023 COVID-19 vaccination led to a moderate-to-low reduction in SARS-CoV-2 infection incidence in HCWs. Monitoring of CVE is crucial for COVID-19 prevention.

Keywords: COVID-19; Europe; Healthcare workers; SARS-CoV-2; Vaccine effectiveness.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • COVID-19 Vaccines* / administration & dosage
  • COVID-19 Vaccines* / immunology
  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • Cohort Studies
  • Europe / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Health Personnel* / statistics & numerical data
  • Hospitals
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • SARS-CoV-2* / immunology
  • Seasons
  • Vaccination* / statistics & numerical data
  • Vaccine Efficacy

Substances

  • COVID-19 Vaccines