Efficacy of the AZD1222 (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19) COVID-19 Vaccine Against SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern

In this South African phase 1/2b study, we demonstrated vaccine efficacy (VE) of two doses of AZD1222 for asymptomatic and symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection: 90.6% against wild-type and 77.1% against the Delta variant [≥]9 months after vaccination. VE against infection with the Beta variant, which preceded circulation of Delta, was 6.7%. Clinical trial identifierCT.gov NCT04444674

SARS-CoV-2 infections during Omicron (BA.1) dominant wave and subsequent population immunity in Gauteng, South Africa

BackgroundThe B.1.1.529 (Omicron BA.1) variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused a global resurgence of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). The contribution of BA.1 infection to population immunity and its effect on subsequent resurgence of B.1.1.529 sub-lineages warrant investigation. MethodsWe conducted an epidemiologic survey to determine the sero-prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG from March 1 to April 11, 2022, after the BA.1-dominant wave had subsided in Gauteng (South Africa), and prior to a resurgence of Covid-19 dominated by the BA.4 and BA.5 (BA.4/BA.5) sub-lineages. Population-based sampling included households in an earlier survey from October 22 to December 9, 2021 preceding the BA.1 dominant wave. Dried-blood-spot samples were quantitatively tested for IgG against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and nucleocapsid protein. Epidemiologic trends in Gauteng for cases, hospitalizations, recorded deaths, and excess deaths were evaluated from the inception of the pandemic to the onset of the BA.1 dominant wave (pre-BA.1), during the BA.1 dominant wave, and for the BA.4/BA.5 dominant wave through June 6, 2022. ResultsThe 7510 participants included 2420 with paired samples from the earlier survey. Despite only 26.7% (1995/7470) of individuals having received a Covid-19 vaccine, the overall sero-prevalence was 90.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 90.2 to 91.5), including 89.5% in Covid-19 unvaccinated individuals. Sixty-four percent (95%CI, 61.8-65.9) of individuals with paired samples had serological evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection during the BA.1 dominant wave. Of all cumulative recorded hospitalisations and deaths, 14.1% and 5.9% were contributed by the BA.1 dominant wave, and 5.1% and 1.6% by the BA.4/BA.5 dominant wave. The SARS-CoV-2 infection fatality risk was lower in the BA.1 compared with pre-BA.1 waves for recorded deaths (0.02% vs. 0.33%) and Covid-19 attributable deaths based on excess mortality estimates (0.03% vs. 0.67%). ConclusionsGauteng province experienced high levels of infections in the BA.1 -dominant wave against a backdrop of high (73%) sero-prevalence. Covid-19 hospitalizations and deaths were further decoupled from infections during BA.4/BA.5 dominant wave than that observed during the BA.1 dominant wave. (Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.)

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron symptomatic infections in previously infected or vaccinated South African healthcare workers

We investigated Omicron infections among healthcare workers (HCW) presenting with symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection and evaluated the protective effect of vaccination or prior infection. Between 24th November and 31st December 2021, HCW in Johannesburg, South Africa, were tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection by Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT). Blood samples collected either at the symptomatic visit or within 3-months prior, were tested for spike protein immunoglobulin G (IgG). Overall, 433 symptomatic HCW were included in the analysis, with 190 (43.9%) having an Omicron infection; 69 (16.7%) were unvaccinated and 270 (62.4%) received a single dose of Ad26.COV.2 vaccine. There was no difference in the odds of identifying Omicron between unvaccinated and Ad26.COV.2 vaccinated HCW (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.81, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.46, 1.43). One-hundred and fifty-four (35.3%) HCW had at least one SARS-CoV-2 NAAT-confirmed prior infection; these had lower odds of Omicron infection compared with those without past infection (aOR 0.55, 95%CI: 0.36, 0.84). Anti-spike IgG concentration of 1549 binding antibody unit/mL was suggestive of significant reduction in the risk of symptomatic Omicron infection. We found high reinfection and vaccine breakthrough infection rates with the Omicron variant among HCW. Prior infection and high anti-spike IgG concentration were protective against Omicron infection.

South African Population Immunity and Severe Covid-19 with Omicron Variant

BackgroundWe conducted a seroepidemiological survey from October 22 to December 9, 2021, in Gauteng Province, South Africa, to determine SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) seroprevalence primarily before the fourth wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), in which the B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant was dominant. We evaluated epidemiological trends in case rates and rates of severe disease through to January 12, 2022, in Gauteng. MethodsWe contacted households from a previous seroepidemiological survey conducted from November 2020 to January 2021, plus an additional 10% of households using the same sampling framework. Dry blood spot samples were tested for anti-spike and anti-nucleocapsid protein IgG using quantitative assays on the Luminex platform. Daily case, hospital admission, and reported death data, and weekly excess deaths, were plotted over time. ResultsSamples were obtained from 7010 individuals, of whom 1319 (18.8%) had received a Covid-19 vaccine. Overall seroprevalence ranged from 56.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 52.6 to 59.7) in children aged <12 years to 79.7% (95% CI, 77.6 to 81.5) in individuals aged >50 years. Seropositivity was more likely in vaccinated (93.1%) vs unvaccinated (68.4%) individuals. Epidemiological data showed SARS-CoV-2 infection rates increased and subsequently declined more rapidly than in previous waves. Infection rates were decoupled from Covid-19 hospitalizations, recorded deaths, and excess deaths relative to the previous three waves. ConclusionsWidespread underlying SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity was observed in Gauteng Province before the Omicron-dominant wave. Epidemiological data showed a decoupling of hospitalization and death rates from infection rate during Omicron circulation.

The continuous evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in South Africa: a new lineage with rapid accumulation of mutations of concern and global detection

Global genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 has identified variants associated with increased transmissibility, neutralization resistance and disease severity. Here we report the emergence of the PANGO lineage C.1.2, detected at low prevalence in South Africa and eleven other countries. The emergence of C.1.2, associated with a high substitution rate, includes changes within the spike protein that have been associated with increased transmissibility or reduced neutralization sensitivity in SARS-CoV-2 VOC/VOIs. Like Beta and Delta, C.1.2 shows significantly reduced neutralization sensitivity to plasma from vaccinees and individuals infected with the ancestral D614G virus. In contrast, convalescent donors infected with either Beta or Delta showed high plasma neutralization against C.1.2. These functional data suggest that vaccine efficacy against C.1.2 will be equivalent to Beta and Delta, and that prior infection with either Beta or Delta will likely offer protection against C.1.2.

Rosacea and Rate of Temperature Change: Examining Real-Time Data from 2004 to 2016

No abstract available.