Infectious diseases and clinical microbiology (Online), vol.5, no.2, pp.118-126, 2023 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
Objective: We aimed to investigate the vaccination status and the risk factors for the in- tensive care unit (ICU) support need of the laboratory-confirmed breakthrough COVID-19 infection inpatients. Materials and Methods: This multi-center point-prevalence study was conducted on inpa- tients, divided into two groups as ‘fully’ and ‘partially’ vaccinated according to COVID-19 vaccination status. Results: Totally 516 patients were included in the study. The median age was 65 (55-77), and 53.5% (n=276) of the patients were male. Hypertension (41.9%, n=216), diabetes mel- litus (DM) (31.8%, n=164), and coronary artery disease (CAD) (16.3%, n=84) were the pre- dominant comorbidities. Patients were divided into two groups ICU (n=196) and non-ICU (n=301). Hypertension (p=0.026), DM (p=0.048), and congestive heart failure (CHF) (p=0.005) were significantly higher in ICU patients and the median age was younger among non-ICU patients (p=0.033). Of patients, 16.9% (n=87) were fully vaccinated, and this group’s need for ICU support was statistically significantly lower (p=0.021). Conclusion: We conclude that older age, hypertension, DM, CHF, and being partially vacci- nated were associated with the need for ICU support. Therefore, all countries should con- tinuously monitor post-vaccination breakthrough COVID-19 infections to determine the national booster vaccine administration approach that will provide vulnerable individuals the highest protection.