Vaccine Breakthrough Infections with SARS-CoV-2 in a Retirement Home

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic triggered a series of concerns and changes worldwide, and even after the development and application of coronavirus vaccines, some cases of infection continued to occur. Here, we report an outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 in a Brazilian retirement home in fully vaccinated elderly residents and workers.. This retrospective case series evaluated residents and workers within a retirement home who became infected with the coronavirus after COVID-19 vaccination between January and February 2021. Of the 85 residents, 31 were infected with the virus, later classified as the B.1.1 variant. Most of the individuals showed mild symptoms, and four died. We applied a contact tracing and surface testing strategy, allowing us to slow down and control the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the retirement home. Our report reinforces the role played by the vaccine in protecting individuals against severe COVID-19 and the importance of maintaining all recommended nonpharmacological interventions to reduce virus transmission.