ABSTRACT
Introduction The impact of COVID-19 vaccination on disease in the community has been limited, as a result of both SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern that partially escape vaccine-induced immunity. We sought to characterise symptoms and viral loads over the course of COVID-19 infection in otherwise-healthy vaccinated adults, representative of the general population, to assess whether current self-isolation guidance remains justified. Methods In a prospective, observational cohort study, healthy vaccinated UK adults who reported a positive PCR or lateral flow test, self-swabbed on alternate days until day 10. We compared symptoms and viral kinetics between infections caused by VOCs Delta and Omicron (sub-variants BA.1 and BA.2) and investigated applicability of UK NHS isolation guidelines to these newer VOCs. Results 373 infection episodes were reported among 349 participants. Across VOCs, symptom duration was similar, however symptom profiles differed significantly among infections caused by Delta, Omicron BA.1 and BA.2. Anosmia was reported in <10% of participants with BA.1 and BA.2, compared to 42% with Delta infection, coryza fatigue and myalgia predominated. Most notably, viral load trajectories and peaks did not differ between Delta, BA.1 and BA.2, irrespective of symptom severity, VOC or vaccination status. Conclusion COVID-19 isolation guidance should not differ based on symptom severity or febrile illness and must remain under review as new SARS-CoV-2 VOCs emerge and population immunity changes. Our study emphasises the ongoing transmission risk of Omicron sub-variants in vaccinated adults with mild symptoms that may extend beyond current isolation periods.