COVID-19 breakthrough infections in HCWs vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine

Editor's Note

This Israeli study finds that in healthcare workers (HCWs) vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine who had breakthrough infections, the suspected source was an unvaccinated person.

Among 11,453 fully vaccinated HCWs, 1,497 had RT-PCR testing during the study period. Of the tested HCWs, 39 breakthrough cases were found.

Those included:

• 18 nurses
• 10 administration or maintenance workers
• 6 allied health professionals
• 5 physicians.

In 37 HCWs for whom data were available on the source of the infection, the suspected source was an unvaccinated person, and in 21 HCWs, the suspected source was a household member.

Though most breakthrough infections were mild or asymptomatic, persistent symptoms did occur in some, the researchers note.