Abstract

Introduction: Possibility of breakthrough infection to Covid-19 variants which may cross vaccine induced immunityas immunity acquired from natural COVID-19 infection or vaccines is not absolute and reinfections postnatural COVID-19 infections, as well as vaccine breakthrough infections, are not uncommon. Furthermore, lack of data is available on breakthrough infection as well as reinfection in India especially in Bihar. Thus, the present study is undertaken to find out magnitude of breakthrough infection and re-infection of COVID 19 and to find out factors associated with breakthrough infection and re-infection.
Materials and Method: The present telephone based cross sectional study was carried over a period of 3 months among400 subjects of age group ≥18yrs vaccinated with both doses of COVID Vaccine. A predesigned; semi-structured, pre-tested questionnaire was designed for elucidating the information about demographic details, vaccination, infection and serology. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS version 16. Chi square test was used to analyze association. P value of <0.05 considered significant.
Results: Regarding patients who suffered from Covid breakthrough infection after vaccination were 40 patients and patients who suffered from reinfection, total was 8 patients, among them 1 positive patient was out of 137 who were in age group of 18-25 years, 4 out of 59were in 26-44 years, 0 out of 17 were in 45-59 years and 3 out of 187were ≥60 years age group. P-value was significant with p=0.037 (as p>0.05). Regarding vaccine intake, among 400 subjects, 134 subjects were suffering were vaccinated with Covaxin, out of which 17 acquired covid breakthrough infection; those who were given Covishield, out of 242, 22 acquired covid breakthrough infection and among 24 subjects who were not knowing about type of vaccination given 1 acquired covid breakthrough infection. P-value was not significant among all those parameters.
Conclusion: The study identifies the possibility of breakthrough infections among vaccinated peoples and ensures the impact of vaccination in limiting disease severity. However, prior vaccination provided substantial protection against symptomatic re-infection and severe disease. The findings suggest that COVID-19 preventive measures should be continued even among vaccinated individuals. Breakthrough infection in India after complete dose of vaccination should be major area of research.