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. 2022 Jun:150-151:105157.
doi: 10.1016/j.jcv.2022.105157. Epub 2022 Apr 6.

Clinical characterization of COVID-19 breakthrough infections, Philippines

John Mark Velasco  1 , Vicente Vila  2 , Paula Corazon Diones  3 , Maria Theresa Valderama  3 , Cecille Mendez  2 , Ma Melissa Monica Turao-Agoncillo  2 , Piyawan Chinnawirotpisan  3 , Wudtichai Manasatienkij  3 , Khajohn Joonlasak  3 , Chonticha Klungthong  3 , Anthony Jones  3 , Stefan Fernandez  3 , Fatima Claire Navarro  2
Affiliations

Clinical characterization of COVID-19 breakthrough infections, Philippines

John Mark Velasco et al. J Clin Virol. 2022 Jun.

Abstract

We clinically characterized PCR detected breakthrough infections among partially/fully vaccinated cases with majority given an inactivated vaccine, CoronaVac. From 1 March to 15 July 2021, we detected 182 SARS-CoV-2 infections among vaccinated cases with 129 classified as breakthrough infections. Majority were male, 30-39 y.o., and were asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic with few severe cases. Alpha, Beta and Delta VOCs were detected from sequenced breakthrough infections. Healthcare workers had significantly lower Ct values(higher viral loads) versus non-HCWs. Our results underscore the importance of regular PCR screening for HCWs due to the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission from asymptomatic breakthrough infections and provide evidence supporting administration of a booster dose especially to HCWs.

Keywords: Breakthrough infections; Philippines; SARS-CoV-2.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests:

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