Evaluation of Vaccine Strategies among Healthcare Workers during COVID-19 Omicron Outbreak in Taiwan

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to assess the reactogenicity and immunogenicity of various SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and compare their protective effects against COVID-19 among healthcare workers (HCWs) during the Omicron outbreak in Taiwan. Methods: Conducted from March 2021 to July 2023, this pr...

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Main Authors: Min-Ru Lin, Chung-Guei Huang, Cheng-Hsun Chiu, Chih-Jung Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-09-01
Series:Vaccines
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/12/9/1057
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author Min-Ru Lin
Chung-Guei Huang
Cheng-Hsun Chiu
Chih-Jung Chen
author_facet Min-Ru Lin
Chung-Guei Huang
Cheng-Hsun Chiu
Chih-Jung Chen
author_sort Min-Ru Lin
collection DOAJ
description Background/Objectives: This study aimed to assess the reactogenicity and immunogenicity of various SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and compare their protective effects against COVID-19 among healthcare workers (HCWs) during the Omicron outbreak in Taiwan. Methods: Conducted from March 2021 to July 2023, this prospective observational study included healthy HCWs without prior COVID-19 immunization. Participants chose between adenovirus-vectored (AstraZeneca), mRNA (Moderna, BioNTech-Pfizer), and protein-based (Medigen, Novavax) vaccines. Blood samples were taken at multiple points to measure neutralizing antibody (nAb) titers, and adverse events (AEs) were recorded via questionnaires. Results: Of 710 HCWs, 668 (94.1%) completed three doses, and 290 (40.8%) received a fourth dose during the Omicron outbreak. AEs were more common with AstraZeneca and Moderna vaccines, while Medigen caused fewer AEs. Initial nAb titers were highest with Moderna but waned over time regardless of the vaccine. Booster doses significantly increased nAb titers, with the highest levels observed in Moderna BA1 recipients. The fourth dose significantly reduced COVID-19 incidence, with Moderna BA1 being the most effective. Conclusions: Regular booster doses, especially with mRNA and adjuvant-protein vaccines, effectively enhance nAb levels and reduce infection rates, providing critical protection for frontline HCWs during variant outbreaks.
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spelling doaj-art-f308480851764e318b352b4ba805e0012025-08-20T01:55:57ZengMDPI AGVaccines2076-393X2024-09-01129105710.3390/vaccines12091057Evaluation of Vaccine Strategies among Healthcare Workers during COVID-19 Omicron Outbreak in TaiwanMin-Ru Lin0Chung-Guei Huang1Cheng-Hsun Chiu2Chih-Jung Chen3Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Departments of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, TaiwanDepartment of Laboratory Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, Taoyuan 333, TaiwanDivision of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Departments of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, TaiwanDivision of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Departments of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, TaiwanBackground/Objectives: This study aimed to assess the reactogenicity and immunogenicity of various SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and compare their protective effects against COVID-19 among healthcare workers (HCWs) during the Omicron outbreak in Taiwan. Methods: Conducted from March 2021 to July 2023, this prospective observational study included healthy HCWs without prior COVID-19 immunization. Participants chose between adenovirus-vectored (AstraZeneca), mRNA (Moderna, BioNTech-Pfizer), and protein-based (Medigen, Novavax) vaccines. Blood samples were taken at multiple points to measure neutralizing antibody (nAb) titers, and adverse events (AEs) were recorded via questionnaires. Results: Of 710 HCWs, 668 (94.1%) completed three doses, and 290 (40.8%) received a fourth dose during the Omicron outbreak. AEs were more common with AstraZeneca and Moderna vaccines, while Medigen caused fewer AEs. Initial nAb titers were highest with Moderna but waned over time regardless of the vaccine. Booster doses significantly increased nAb titers, with the highest levels observed in Moderna BA1 recipients. The fourth dose significantly reduced COVID-19 incidence, with Moderna BA1 being the most effective. Conclusions: Regular booster doses, especially with mRNA and adjuvant-protein vaccines, effectively enhance nAb levels and reduce infection rates, providing critical protection for frontline HCWs during variant outbreaks.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/12/9/1057COVID-19vaccinereactogenicityimmunogenicityeffectiveness
spellingShingle Min-Ru Lin
Chung-Guei Huang
Cheng-Hsun Chiu
Chih-Jung Chen
Evaluation of Vaccine Strategies among Healthcare Workers during COVID-19 Omicron Outbreak in Taiwan
Vaccines
COVID-19
vaccine
reactogenicity
immunogenicity
effectiveness
title Evaluation of Vaccine Strategies among Healthcare Workers during COVID-19 Omicron Outbreak in Taiwan
title_full Evaluation of Vaccine Strategies among Healthcare Workers during COVID-19 Omicron Outbreak in Taiwan
title_fullStr Evaluation of Vaccine Strategies among Healthcare Workers during COVID-19 Omicron Outbreak in Taiwan
title_full_unstemmed Evaluation of Vaccine Strategies among Healthcare Workers during COVID-19 Omicron Outbreak in Taiwan
title_short Evaluation of Vaccine Strategies among Healthcare Workers during COVID-19 Omicron Outbreak in Taiwan
title_sort evaluation of vaccine strategies among healthcare workers during covid 19 omicron outbreak in taiwan
topic COVID-19
vaccine
reactogenicity
immunogenicity
effectiveness
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/12/9/1057
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AT chenghsunchiu evaluationofvaccinestrategiesamonghealthcareworkersduringcovid19omicronoutbreakintaiwan
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