Assessment of Sociodemographic Factors Associated with Time to Self-reported COVID-19 Infection Among a Large Multi-Center Prospective Cohort Population in the Southeastern United States (preprint)

Objective: We aimed to investigate sociodemographic factors associated with self-reported COVID-19 infection. Methods: The study population is a multicenter prospective cohort of adult volunteers recruited from healthcare systems located in the mid-Atlantic and southern United States. Between April 2020 and October 2021 participants completed daily online questionnaires about symptoms, exposures, and risk behaviors related to COVID-19, including self-reports of positive SARS CoV-2 detection tests and COVID-19 vaccination. Analysis of time from study enrollment to self-reported COVID-19 infection used a time-varying mixed effects Cox-proportional hazards framework. Results: Overall, 1,603 of 27,214 study participants (5.9%) reported a positive COVID-19 test during the study period. The adjusted hazard ratio demonstrated lower risk for women, those with a graduate level degree, and smokers. A higher risk was observed for healthcare workers, those aged 18-34, those in rural areas, those from households where a member attends school or interacts with the public, and those who visited a health provider in the last year. Conclusions: Increased risk of self-reported COVID-19 was associated with specific demographic characteristics, which may help to inform targeted interventions for future pandemics.

Breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 Infections after Vaccination in North Carolina (preprint)

ImportanceReal-world data are needed to assess incidence and factors associated with breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infections following vaccination. ObjectiveEstimate incidence of breakthrough infections and assess associations with risk factors using self-reported data from a large NC population sample. DesignProspective observational cohort study utilizing daily online survey data to capture information about COVID-19 symptoms, testing, and vaccination status. SettingSix health care systems in North Carolina with data collected between January 15, 2021 and September 24, 2021. ParticipantsAdult study participants who reported full vaccination with a COVID-19 mRNA or J&J non-replicating viral vector vaccine (n =16,020). ExposuresPotential community exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Main Outcome and MeasuresSelf-reported breakthrough infection. ResultsSARS-CoV-2 infection after vaccination was self-reported in 1.9% of participants, with an incidence rate of 7.3 per 100,000 person-years. Younger age (45-64 vs. 18-44: HR (95% CI) = 0.65 (0.51 - 0.82); 65+ vs. 18-44: HR (95% CI) = 0.59 (0.39 - 0.90)), and vaccination with J&J Ad26.COV2.S were associated with a higher risk of breakthrough infection compared to vaccination with Pfizer BNT162b2 (Ad26.COV2.S vs. BNT162b2: HR (95% CI) = 2.23 (1.40 - 3.56)), while participants vaccinated with mRNA-1273 (mRNA-1273 vs. BNT162b2: HR (95% CI) = 0.69 (0.50 - 0.96) and those residing in urban counties experienced a lower rate of SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection compared with those from suburban (HR (95% CI) = 1.39 (1.01 - 1.90) or rural (HR (95% CI) = 1.57 (1.16 - 2.11) counties. There was no significant association between breakthrough infection and participant sex, race, healthcare worker status, prior COVID-19 infection, routine mask use, or overall vaccination rate in the county of residence. Conclusions and RelevanceThis NC community-based observational study showed that the proportion of the cohort who self-report breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infections was 7.3 events per 100,000 person-years. Younger adults, those vaccinated with J&J Ad26.COV2.S, and those residing in suburban or rural counties were at higher risk of breakthrough infections and should be targeted for additional risk mitigation strategies to decrease community transmission. Trial RegistrationThe COVID-19 Community Research Partnership is listed in clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04342884). Key PointsO_ST_ABSQuestionC_ST_ABSWhat are the characteristics of those with breakthrough infections after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in North Carolinaa FindingsIn this NC-based observational study of 16,020 participants, 1.9% self-reported a positive SARS-CoV-2 viral test at least 2 weeks following full vaccination, reflecting an event rate of 7.3 infections per 100,000 person years. Rates were higher among younger participants, participants from more rural areas in North Carolina, and those vaccinated with J&J Ad26.COV2.S. MeaningOur results show a relatively low rate of COVID-19 infection following full vaccination. Younger adults and those vaccinated with J&J Ad26.COV2.S should be targeted for additional risk mitigation strategies.