Incidence of breakthrough infections after COVID-19 vaccination among the COVID-19 vaccine recipients at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Srinagar.

COVID-19 infections despite complete vaccination are called breakthrough infections. Breakthrough infections may decrease the vaccination confidence among people. This study was conducted soon after the Covishield vaccine was approved for use in J and K to find out the incidence of breakthrough infections among the recipients of the Covishield vaccine at SKIMS and to find out the associated factors. List of beneficiaries (between February 14, and May 15, 2021) was obtained from the records. Information was gathered telephonically. Incidence of breakthrough infections 6-month postvaccination was determined. Among 919 participants, the incidence of breakthrough infections was 2.7% (25 cases). The medical profession was associated with a higher frequency of breakthrough infections. Most infections were mild to moderate (96%). One (4%) person required hospitalization. Thus, COVID-19 infections can occur despite complete vaccination. Increased exposure places an individual at higher risk of breakthrough infections. Therefore, where exposure is high, COVID-appropriate behavior should be followed despite being vaccinated.

Effect of second dose of measles vaccine on measles antibody status: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of the second dose of measles vaccine on measles antibody status during childhood. SETTING: Immunization centre of Under-five Clinic of the Department of Community Medicine at a tertiary-hospital. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized Controlled trial. SUBJECTS: Children from 6 years to 17 year old. 188 with simple obesity, and 431 with obesity and metabolic abnormalities. 274 age and gender-matched healthy children as controls. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from all subjects for baseline measles serology by heel puncture at 9-12 months of age. All subjects were given the first dose of measels vaccine. At second visit (3-5 months later), after collecting the blood sample from all, half the children were randomized to receive the second dose of measles vaccine (study group), followed by collection of the third sample six weeks later in all the subjects. RESULTS: A total of 78 children were enrolled and 30 children in each group could be analyzed. 11(36.6%) children in the study group and 13 (43.3%) children in the control group had protective levels of measles IgG at baseline. Around 93.3% of children in the study group had protective measles antibody titers as against 50% in the control group at the end of the trial. The Geometric Mean Titre (GMT) of measles IgG increased from 14.8 NTU/mL to 18.2 NTU/mL from baseline to six weeks following receipt of the second dose of the vaccine in the study group, as compared to a decrease from 16.8 NTU/mL to 12.8 NTU/mL in the control group. CONCLUSION: A second dose of measles vaccine boosts the measles antibody status in the study population as compared to those who receive only a single dose.