SARS-CoV-2 Symptoms during the Omicron Surge Differ between Boosted and Vaccinated Non-Boosted Persons

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Vaccinology
• Public Health

Background:

• The Omicron variant surge presented an opportunity to study COVID-19 booster vaccine effectiveness.
• Understanding symptom profiles associated with breakthrough infections is crucial for public health guidance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the influence of COVID-19 booster vaccination on the symptoms experienced during SARS-CoV-2 infection.
• To analyze symptom frequency, type, and duration in relation to booster status and time since vaccination.

Main Methods:

• A study was conducted at a US medical college involving 476 students and employees.
• Data collected included symptom details and days elapsed since the last vaccination prior to SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis.

Main Results:

• Boosted individuals reported significantly more nasal congestion (57.9%) and nasal congestion/sore throat (77.2%) compared to non-boosted individuals.
• Boosted individuals experienced significantly fewer body/muscle aches (22.1%).
• Increased time since booster dose correlated with higher probabilities of fever (4.4% per week) and cough (4.8% per week).

Conclusions:

• Booster vaccination status and timing significantly alter the clinical presentation of breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infections.
• Nasal congestion and sore throat were more prevalent in boosted individuals, while body/muscle aches were less common.
• Further research is necessary to fully elucidate the relationship between COVID-19 booster doses and specific SARS-CoV-2 symptoms.