Post-vaccination SARS-COV-2 among healthcare workers in New Jersey: a genomic epidemiological study

ABSTRACT

Emergence of SARS-CoV-2 with high transmission and immune evasion potential, the so-called Variants of Concern (VOC), is a major concern. We describe the early genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 recovered from vaccinated healthcare professionals (HCP). Our post-vaccination COVID-19 symptoms-based surveillance program among HCPs in a 17-hospital network, identified all vaccinated HCP who tested positive for COVID-19 after routine screening or after self-reporting. From 01/01/2021 to 04/30/2021, 23,687 HCP received either mRNA-1273 or BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine. All available post-vaccination SARS-CoV-2 samples and a random collection from non-vaccinated patients during the similar timeframe were subjected to VOC screening and whole genome sequencing (WGS). 62% (23,697/37,500) of HCPs received at least one vaccine dose, with 95% (22,458) fully vaccinated. We detected 138 (0.58%, 138/23,697) COVID-19 cases, 105 among partially vaccinated and 33 (0.15%, 33/22,458) among fully vaccinated. Five partially vaccinated required hospitalization, four with supplemental oxygen. VOC screening from 16 fully vaccinated HCPs identified 6 (38%) harboring N501Y and 1 (6%) with E484K polymorphisms; concurrent non-vaccinated samples was 37% (523/1404) and 20% (284/1394), respectively. There was an upward trend from January to April for E484K/Q (3% to 26%) and N501Y (1% to 49%). WGS analysis from vaccinated and non-vaccinated individuals indicated highly congruent phylogenies. We did not detect an increased frequency of any RBD/NTD polymorphism between groups (P>0.05). Our results support robust protection by vaccination, particularly among recipients of both doses. Despite VOCs accounting for over 40% of SARS-CoV-2 from fully vaccinated individuals, the genomic diversity appears to proportionally represent those among non-vaccinated populations. IMPORTANCEA number of highly effective vaccines have been developed and deployed to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The emergence and epidemiological dominance of SARS-CoV-2 mutants, with high transmission potential and immune evasion properties, the so-called Variants of Concern (VOC), continues to be a major concern. Whether these VOCs alter the efficacy of the administered vaccines is of great concern, and a critical question to study. We describe the initial genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 recovered from vaccinated healthcare professionals and probe specifically for VOC enrichment. Our findings support the high-level of protection provided by full vaccination despite a steep increase in the prevalence of polymorphisms associated with increased transmission potential (N501Y) and immune evasion (E484K) in the non-vaccinated population. Thus, we do not find evidence of VOC enrichment among vaccinated groups. Overall, the genomic diversity of SARS-CoV-2 recovered post-vaccination appears to proportionally represent the observed viral diversity within the community.