Comparison of Clinical Course of Covid 19 Infections in Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Individuals

ABSTRACT

COVID 19 vaccines shows good efficacy and safety in real world data. However clinical outcome in vaccinated persons is not widely known. This was a Questionnaire based study conducted between September 2021 to March 2022 after permission of IEC (Letter no. SNMC /IEC /2021 / 50). A Google doc based validated questionnaire (18 questions) was circulated through E mail/social media groups to individuals who became COVID infected in the past. The respondents who were fully vaccinated and completed 14 days duration after second dose of vaccination at time of infection serves as study group (Group I) while those who were unvaccinated at the time of infection serves as control group (Group II). Clinical course of disease was compared between two groups. A total of 517 previously COVID infected individuals had responded the questionnaire. Out of it, 108 respondents were either partially vaccinated or infected before completion of 14 days of second dose so they were excluded from the study. A total of 210 fully vaccinated respondents were included in study group (Group I) while 199 individuals who were unvaccinated at the time of infection serves as control group (Group II). Difficulty in breathing, need of hospital stay and post COVID complications were significantly less in vaccinated group in comparison to control group. As per survey findings, vaccination significantly reduces difficulty in breathing and need of hospital stay. A significant reduction in post COVID complications was also noted. So, vaccination remains the most effective way to reduce the severity of clinical course and better outcome of COVID 19 infection. Copyright © 2022, Global Research Online. All rights reserved.