Post-vaccination Severity and Outcome of COVID-19:

Nimra Kanwal; Nauman Ismat Butt; Samrina Sadaf; Syed Asif Hussain; Anum Rasheed; Sadia Babu

Nimra Kanwal Medical Specialist, Department of Medicine, Agha Khan Medical Services Gilgit.
Nauman Ismat Butt Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine & Allied, Azra Naheed Medical College, Lahore. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1022-0157
Samrina Sadaf Consultant Pulmonologist, COVID ICU, Aga Khan Medical Centre Gilgit.
Syed Asif Hussain Medical Officer, Department of Medicine, Aga Khan Medical Center Gilgit.
Anum Rasheed Senior Registrar, Department of Medicine, POF Hospital, Wah Cantt.
Sadia Babu Senior Registrar, POF Hospital, Wah Medical College Wah Cantt.

Keywords: COVID-19 vaccination, COVID-19 disease, Disease Severity, Mortality

Abstract

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: COVID-19 infection can occur even after vaccination but vaccination aids to reduce risk of severe COVID-19, hospitalization and mortality. Objective of present study was to determine severity and outcome of COVID-19 infection developed post-vaccination.

METHODOLOGY: This observational cross-sectional study was conducted at Agha Khan Medical Center Gilgit Pakistan from July 2021 to July 2022. COVID-19 infection was diagnosed by a positive COVID-19 PCR. After taking informed consent, 80 fully vaccinated patients of new onset COVID-19 aged 20-100 years of both genders were enrolled. Demographic information was noted and severity of COVID-19 infection assessed. All patients were followed up to 4 weeks of symptom onset, recovery or death whichever occurred earlier.

RESULTS: Mean age was 49.5+19.5 years with 47 (58.7%) males. Seven (8.8%) patients were smokers, 14 (17.5%) hypertensive, 07 (8.8%) diabetic, 05 (6.3%) had ischemic heart disease and 04 (5.0%) had asthma. Forty-eight (60.0%) patients had received Sinopharm vaccine, 21 (26.3%) Sinovac, 08 (10.0%) Cansino, 02 (2.5%) Astrazeneca and 01 (1.3%) Moderna. Fifty-six (70.0%) had mild COVID-19 disease, 07 (8.8%) had moderate disease, 10 (12.5%) had severe disease while 07 (8.8%) had critical disease. Twenty-four (30.0%) patients were admitted with mean hospital stay 4.7+7.4 days. Sadly, 08 (10.0%) patients passed away. Disease severity showed significant association with age p-value=0.014 and co-morbid conditions with p-value=0.013.

CONCLUSION: Post-vaccination COVID-19 illness was mild in more than two-thirds patients. Male sex, advanced age and presence of co-morbid diseases were associated with severe disease and mortality.