Postvaccination infections among staff of a tertiary care hospital after vaccination with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vector and mRNA-based vaccines.

OBJECTIVES: The identification of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antigen or RNA in respiratory specimens ≥14 days after administration of all recommended doses of authorized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines is defined as breakthrough infection. In the present investigation, mRNA and vector-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines were analysed with respect to postvaccination infections in vaccinated hospital employees. METHODS: A total of 8553 staff members were vaccinated with BNT162b2 (47%) or ChAdOx1-S (53%) between January and May 2021. In a retrospective observational cohort study, incidence of SARS-CoV-2 postvaccination infections was analysed in relation to demographic data, viral load, virus variants, vaccine brand and vaccination status at time of positive PCR test (fully vaccinated: ≥14 days since second dose; partially vaccinated: >21 days since first, but <14 days after second dose; insufficiently vaccinated: <22 days since first dose). RESULTS: Within the follow-up period, ending on 31 July 2021, person-time at risk-adjusted monthly rates for SARS-CoV-2 postvaccination infections were 0.18% (BNT162b2) and 0.57% (ChAdOx1-S) for insufficiently vaccinated, 0.34% (BNT162b2) and 0.32% (ChAdOx1-S) for partially vaccinated and 0.06% (BNT162b2) and 0.04% (ChAdOx1-S) for fully vaccinated participants. The two vaccine types did not differ with respect to hazard ratios for any of the respective postvaccination infection types. No cases of COVID-19-related hospitalizations or deaths were reported. Genotyping of positive PCR specimens revealed 42 variants of concern: B.1.1.7 (Alpha variant; n = 34); B.1.351 (Beta variant; n = 2), B.1.617.2 (Delta variant; n = 6). CONCLUSIONS: BNT162b2 and ChAdOx1-S are both effective in preventing breakthrough infections; however, it seems important, that all recommended vaccine doses are administered.

Evaluation of the decontamination efficacy of new and reprocessed microfiber cleaning cloth compared with other commonly used cleaning cloths in the hospital.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the decontamination capacity of 4 different types of cleaning cloths (microfiber cleaning cloth, cotton cloth, sponge cloth, and disposable paper towels) commonly used in hospital in their ability to reduce microbial loads from a surface used dry or wet in new condition. All of the cloths except disposable paper towels were also compared after 10 and 20 times of reprocessing, respectively, at 90 degrees C for 5 minutes in a washing machine. METHODS: Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739) were used as test organisms. Test organisms were then added to a test soil (6% bovine serum albumin and 0.6% sheep erythrocytes) resulting in a controlled concentration of 5 x 10(7) colony-forming units per milliliter in the final test suspension. Standardized tiles measuring 5 x 5 cm were used as test surface. RESULTS: Microfiber cloths showed the best results when being used in new condition. However, after multiple reprocessing, cotton cloth showed the best overall efficacy. CONCLUSION: We therefore suggest that the choice of the cleaning utilities should be based on their decontamination efficacy after several reprocessings and recommend the establishment of strict and well-defined cleaning and disinfection protocols.