Prevalence, incidence and longevity of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 among primary healthcare providers in Belgium: a prospective cohort study with 12 months of follow-up. Issue 9 (19th September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Adriaenssens, Niels; Scholtes, Beatrice; Bruyndonckx, Robin; Van Ngoc, Pauline; Verbakel, Jan Yvan Jos; De Sutter, An; Heytens, Stefan; Van Den Bruel, Ann; Desombere, Isabelle; Van Damme, Pierre; Goossens, Herman; Buret, Laetitia; Duysburgh, Els; Coenen, Samuel
• Is Part Of: BMJ open. Volume 12:Issue 9(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-09-19
• Subjects: PRIMARY CARE -- COVID-19 -- GENERAL MEDICINE (see Internal Medicine) -- Epidemiology; Medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; 610.72
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-065897
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2044-6055

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: To estimate the prevalence, incidence and longevity of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 among primary healthcare providers (PHCPs). Design: Prospective cohort study with 12 months of follow-up. Setting: Primary care in Belgium. Participants: Any general practitioner (GP) working in primary care in Belgium and any other PHCP from the same GP practice who physically manages (examines, tests, treats) patients were eligible. A convenience sample of 3648 eligible PHCPs from 2001 GP practices registered for this study (3044 and 604 to start in December 2020 and January 2021, respectively). 3390 PHCPs (92, 9%) participated in their first testing time point (2820 and 565, respectively) and 2557 PHCPs (70, 1%) in the last testing time point (December 2021). Interventions: Participants were asked to perform a rapid serological test targeting IgM and IgG against the receptor binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 and to complete an online questionnaire at each of maximum eight testing time points. Primary and secondary outcome measures: The prevalence, incidence and longevity of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 both after natural infection and after vaccination. Results: Among all participants, 67% were women and 77% GPs. Median age was 43 years. The seroprevalence in December 2020 (before vaccination availability) was 15.1% (95% CI 13.5% to 16.6%), increased to 84.2% (95% CI 82.9% to 85.5%) in March 2021 (after vaccination availability) and reached 93.9% (95% CI 92.9% to 94.9%) in December 2021 (during booster vaccination availability and fourth (delta variant dominant) COVID-19 wave). Among not (yet) vaccinated participants the first monthly incidence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was estimated to be 2.91% (95% CI 1.80% to 4.01%). The longevity of antibodies is higher in PHCPs with self-reported COVID-19 infection. Conclusions: This study confirms that occupational health measures provided sufficient protection when managing patients. High uptake of vaccination resulted in high seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in PHCPs in Belgium. Longevity of antibodies was supported by booster vaccination and virus circulation. Trial registration number: NCT04779424 .