The initial impact of a national BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine rollout. (July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zaqout, Ahmed; Daghfal, Joanne; Alaqad, Israa; Hussein, Saleh A.N.; Aldushain, Abdullah; Almaslamani, Muna A.; Abukhattab, Mohammed; Omrani, Ali S.
• Is Part Of: International journal of infectious diseases. Volume 108(2021)
• Page Start: 116
• Page End: 118
• Publication Date: 2021-07
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- SARS-CoV-2 -- Coronavirus -- Vaccine -- BNT162b2 -- mRNA -- Qatar; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.05.021
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1201-9712

Abstract

Highlights: A national BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine rollout started in Qatar on 23 December 2020. The overall COVID-19 incidence rate decreased by 65.8–84.7% ≥15 days after first dose. The severe COVID-19 incidence rate decreased by 75.7–93.3% ≥15 days after first dose. Abstract: Objective: This study examined the initial impact of a national BNT162b2 vaccine rollout on SARS-CoV-2 infections in Qatar. Methods: All individuals who had completed ≥14 days of follow-up by 16 March 2021 after receiving the BNT162b2 vaccine were included. This study calculated incidence rates (IR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) during days 1–7, 8–14, 15–21, 22–28, and >28 days post-vaccination. Poisson regression was used to calculate incidence rate ratios (IRR) relative to the first 7-day post-vaccination period. Results: A total of 199, 219 individuals with 6, 521, 124 person-days of follow-up were included. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed in 1877 (0.9%), of which 489 (26.1%) were asymptomatic and 123 (6.6%) required oxygen support. The median time from first vaccination to SARS-CoV-2 confirmation was 11.9 days (IQR 7.7–18.2). Compared with the first 7-day post-vaccination period, SARS-CoV-2 infections were lower by 65.8–84.7% during 15–21, 22–28, and >28 days (P < 0.001 for each). For severe COVID-19, the incidence rates were 75.7–93.3% lower during the corresponding time periods (P < 0.001 for each). Conclusion: The results were consistent with an early protective effect of BNT162b2 vaccine against all degrees of SARS-CoV-2 severity.