Protection from Omicron infection in residents of nursing and retirement homes in Ontario, Canada

Abstract

Objectives
To identify factors that contribute to protection from infection with the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 in older adults in nursing and retirement homes.

Design
Longitudinal cohort study with retrospective analysis of infection risk.

Setting and Participants
997 residents of nursing and retirement homes from Ontario, Canada, in the COVID in LTC study.

Methods
Residents with 3 messenger RNA (mRNA) dose vaccinations were included in the study. SARS-CoV-2 infection was determined by positive nasopharyngeal polymerase chain reaction test and/or circulating antinucleocapsid IgG antibodies. Cumulative probability of Omicron infection after recent COVID-19 was assessed by log-rank test of Kaplan-Meier curves. Cox regression was used to assess risk of Omicron infection by age, sex, mRNA vaccine combination, whether individuals received a fourth dose, as well as recent COVID-19.

Results
In total, 171 residents (17.2%) had a presumed Omicron variant SARS-CoV-2 infection between December 15, 2021 (local start of the first Omicron wave) and May 3, 2022. Risk of Omicron infection was not different by age [hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) 1.01 (0.99‒1.02)], or in women compared with men [0.97 (0.70‒1.34)], but infection risk decreased 47% with 3 vaccine doses of mRNA-1273 (Moderna) compared with BNT162b2 (Pfizer) [0.53 (0.31-0.90)], 81% with any fourth mRNA vaccine dose [0.19 (0.12‒0.30)], and 48% with SARS-CoV-2 infection in the 3 months prior to beginning of the Omicron wave [0.52, (0.27‒0.99)].

Conclusions and Implications
Vaccine type (ie, mRNA-1273/Spikevax vs BNT162b2/Cominarty), any fourth vaccine dose, and hybrid immunity from recent COVID-19, were protective against infection with the Omicron variant. These data emphasize the importance of vaccine type, and number of vaccine doses, in maintenance of protective immunity and reduction of risk of Omicron variant breakthrough infection. These findings promote continued public health efforts to support vaccination programs and monitor vaccine immunogenicity in older adults.