A new study from Albania provides new evidence that the COVID-19 vaccine booster provides excellent protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection for health workers.
The study was carried out by the Albanian Institute of Public Health, the South-Eastern European Center for Surveillance and Control of Infectious Diseases, the WHO Regional Office for Europe and the Centers for Disease US Control and Prevention, with support from the Global Study Task Force. Health, and published this week in Open Forum Infectious Diseases. It found that health workers who received a COVID-19 booster shot during the Omicron wave were 88% less likely to get sick with COVID-19 than unvaccinated health workers.
Conducted among nearly 1,500 health workers in 3 hospitals from January to May 2022 (during which Omicron was widely circulated in Albania), the study provides concrete evidence of the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine booster – evidence that has been lacking in countries with low and low levels of vaccination. middle-income countries around the world, including in the WHO European Region.
“As COVID-19 infections are on the rise again in Albania and around the world, the study results are an important reminder that vaccines remain the best way to protect against COVID-19,” said Silvia Bino, lead author of the study and head of the infectious diseases department. Control Department of the Albanian Institute of Public Health.
“We encourage all health care workers and other vulnerable populations to come forward and accept offers of COVID-19 and flu vaccines this fall and winter. By staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines and getting vaccinated against seasonal flu, vulnerable populations can significantly reduce their risk of getting sick or being hospitalized from COVID-19 and flu,” added Bino.
The use of the COVID-19 and seasonal flu vaccine is essential
Bino’s call comes at a time when COVID-19 vaccine booster uptake remains low in Albania and other Balkan countries and the WHO European Region, which covers 53 countries in Europe and Central Asia.
WHO recommends that frontline health workers receive a COVID-19 booster 12 months after the last one. Additionally, WHO recommends that other high-priority groups – including older adults and people with underlying medical conditions – receive a COVID-19 booster after one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, depending on their age and chronic illnesses and in accordance with local recommendations.
As of September 2023, only 20% of Albanian health workers were up to date with their COVID-19 vaccination and most of these booster doses had been received more than a year ago. This low uptake of booster doses occurred despite recommendations from the Albanian Ministry of Health and Social Protection that all health workers receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster in 2023. In contrast, the rate primary vaccination rate was high (83%) among health workers.
“Improving COVID-19 vaccine recall and flu vaccine uptake among health care workers is not only critical for the health of health care workers and their patients. It also helps ensure an efficient and strong health system that can better withstand the increased pressure this fall and winter and ultimately better care for people whose health is at stake,” said Albana Fico, Director from the University Hospital of Tirana, who worked on the study.
“Although the study measured the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine booster against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection, and not against more serious outcomes, other studies have consistently shown that COVID-19 booster doses save lives and protect against severe disease,” said Iris Finci, epidemiologist at WHO/Europe and lead author of the study.
The study results support the recommendation of the Albanian Ministry of Health and Social Protection that all health workers should receive a COVID-19 booster dose every 12 months.
Albania has already launched its COVID-19 vaccine booster campaign this fall. Health workers and other vulnerable groups can get the flu vaccine starting October 15.
“Albanian health authorities have done an excellent job over the years of boosting flu vaccination among vulnerable populations. This year, WHO in Albania will continue to support its efforts to protect the most vulnerable from COVID-19 and influenza,” said Geraldine McWeeney, WHO Representative in Albania.
Albania is part of a joint WHO/Europe and European Union project to strengthen the resilience of health systems in the Western Balkans, which includes support for strengthening COVID-19 vaccination and national vaccination programs .
Boosting vaccination rates across the WHO European Region
In the WHO European Region, COVID-19 continues to cause infections, hospitalizations and deaths, and new variants continue to circulate.
It is also likely that influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19 will again circulate at the same time this fall and winter, which could lead to an increased risk of infections and serious illness among vulnerable populations. and put increased pressure on vulnerable populations. health services.
Additionally, uptake of recent COVID-19 vaccine and influenza vaccine booster doses among vulnerable populations varies widely across the Region and remains extremely low in many countries.
To help boost vaccination rates against COVID-19 and influenza, on 9 October 2023, during European Influenza Awareness Week, WHO/Europe launched a region-wide campaign entitled “Se protect against COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). ) this fall and winter. Protect lives. Strengthening health systems”.
Dr Marc-Alain Widdowson, who leads the High-Risk Pathogens Team and the Surveillance and Laboratory pillar of the COVID-19 Incident Support Management Team at WHO/Europe, highlighted: “Our message is simple: don’t leave your health to chance. . If you are a healthcare worker, elderly, pregnant, or with underlying health conditions, the best thing you can do to protect your health is to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flu. It’s that simple and it’s a message worth repeating over and over again.