Publication date: May 09, 2024

We assessed the vaccination effectiveness (VE) of a COVID-19 booster vaccine dose and the association between morbidity and absenteeism with COVID-19 booster vaccine receipt among healthcare personnel (HCP) in 2022-2023 in Greece. We followed 5752 HCP from November 14, 2022 through May 28, 2023 for episodes of absenteeism. Absenteeism for non-infectious causes, pregnancy leave, or annual leave was not recorded. Full vaccination was defined as a primary vaccination series plus one booster dose within the past six months. Multivariable regression models were used to estimate the association of full COVID-19 vaccination with the outcomes of interest. A total of 1029 episodes of absenteeism occurred during the study period (17. 9 episodes per 100 HCP). The mean duration of absence per episode was 5. 2 days, and the total duration of absence was 5237 days. COVID-19 was diagnosed in 736 (12. 8 %) HCP, asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in 62 (1. 1 %) HCP, and influenza in 95 (1. 7 %) HCP. Overall, COVID-19, influenza, and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection accounted for 71. 5 %, 9. 2 %, and 6. 0 % of episodes of absenteeism, respectively. Multivariable regression models indicated that fully vaccinated HCP were absent from work for shorter periods [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 0. 42; 95 % confidence interval (CI): 0. 21-0. 83], were less likely to develop COVID-19 [aOR: 0. 37; 95 % CI: 0. 17-0. 81)], and were more likely to develop an asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection (aOR: 5. 90; 95 % CI: 1. 27-27. 45). The adjusted full VE against COVID-19 was 62. 8 % (95 % CI: 18. 6 %-83. 0 %). COVID-19 remains a significant cause of morbidity and absenteeism among HCP. Full COVID-19 vaccination status conferred significant protection against COVID-19 and was associated with shorter periods of absence from work.

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