Interim Study Results Published in MMWR
In partnership with researchers at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and under the direction of Dr. Rosalyn Singleton, YKHC participated in a national study of COVID-19 among healthcare workers. While the study is ongoing, an interim analysis was published May 14, 2021 in MMWR. Read the results here.
Why was this study conducted?
YKHC participated in a national study of COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness among healthcare workers sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In December 2020, two COVID-19 vaccines were authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the United States. In large clinical studies, both vaccines had 95% efficacy in preventing COVID-19 disease. Healthcare workers around the country were one of the first groups to be offered the vaccines as they are at high risk for exposure to SARS-CoV-2. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the vaccines to prevent COVID-19 among healthcare workers in the ‘real-world’ after authorization.
What was done?
The study involved an interview and record review of COVID-19 tests, symptoms and vaccination in healthcare workers who were tested for COVID-19. In partnerships with ANTHC and SCF, under the direction of Dr. Rosalyn Singleton, the YKHC research team enrolled eligible healthcare workers. Over 350 healthcare workers volunteered to participate. For every healthcare worker with a positive test that joined the study, three participants with negative tests were randomly selected to join.
During January 1 and May 14, 2021, YKHC enrolled 84 participants. 27% were from remote YK-Delta villages, 78% were female, 61% identified as Alaska Native, and 19% were physicians/nurses. During this time, the percentage of fully vaccinated healthcare workers increased from 0% to 70% while percentage of healthcare workers with positive COVID-19 tests decreased from 3.6% to 0%.
What was found?
COVID-19 vaccines were found to be highly effective in preventing COVID-19 among healthcare workers. Effectiveness of a full two-dose regimen was estimated at 94%.
What do the results mean?
COVID-19 vaccines help protect people from getting sick. Healthcare workers as well as others are highly encouraged to receive COVID-19 vaccines.
In closing, a wholehearted THANK YOU to healthcare workers who participated in the study and all who volunteered to join the study. Your participation helped researchers better understand COVID-19 and enabled YK Delta to be represented in a national study. We also thank the YKHC Human Studies Committee, YKHC Board of Directors, and the YKHC COVID-19 response team for supporting the study.
We thank our colleagues and partners at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and Dr. Tim Thomas, our research staff, and the study sponsor, CDC, including Dr. Marc Fischer.
For more information, the YKHC research team can be contacted at 907-543-6095.
