Occupations Associated with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection and Vaccination, US Blood Donors, May 2021–December 2021

Details

• Personal Author:
  Benoit TJ ; Feldstein LR ; Groenewold MR ; Haynes JM ; Jones JM ; Saydah SH ; Shah MM ; Spencer BR ; Stramer SL
• Description:
  Background: There are limited data on the risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in the United States by occupation. We identified occupations at higher risk for prior SARS-CoV-2 infection as defined by the presence of infection-induced antibodies among US blood donors. Methods: Using a nested case-control study design, blood donors during May-December 2021 with anti-nucleocapsid (anti-N) testing were sent an electronic survey on employment status, vaccination, and occupation. The association between previous SARS-CoV-2 infection and occupation-specific in-person work was estimated using multivariable logistic regression adjusting for sex, age, month of donation, race and ethnicity, education, vaccination, and telework. Results: Among 85 986 included survey respondents, 9504 (11.1%) were anti-N reactive. Healthcare support (20.3%), protective service (19.9%), and food preparation and serving related occupations (19.7%) had the highest proportion of prior infection. After adjustment, prior SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with healthcare practitioners (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.10; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.74-2.54) and healthcare support (aOR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.39-2.40) occupations compared with computer and mathematical occupations as the referent group. Lack of coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination (aOR, 16.13; 95% CI, 15.01-17.34) and never teleworking (aOR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.05-1.30) were also independently associated with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection. Construction and extraction occupations had the highest proportion of unvaccinated workers (30.5%). Conclusions: Workers in healthcare, protective services, and food preparation had the highest prevalence of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection. Occupational risks for SARS-CoV-2 infection remained after adjusting for vaccination, telework, and demographic factors. These findings underscore the need for mitigation measures and personal protection in healthcare settings and other workplaces. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Antibodies Blood Communicable Diseases Epidemiology Hematologic Tests Occupational Health Safety Surveys And Questionnaires
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: SARS-CoV-2 Blood Analysis Coronavirus COVID-19 Health Surveys Nested Case Control Studies Occupation Occupations SARS-CoV-2 Surveillance Vaccination Vaccines

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• ISSN:
  1058-4838
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Georgia ; Maryland ; Massachusetts ; Ohio ; OSHA Region 1 ; OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 4 ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DFSE - Division of Field Studies and Engineering
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  76
• Issue:
  7
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20066508
• Citation:
  Clin Infect Dis 2023 Apr; 76(7):1285-1294
• Contact Point Address:
  Melisa Shah, Applied Epidemiologic Studies Team, Coronavirus and other Respiratory Viruses Division (proposed), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 Response, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30329
• Email:
  Bgn3@cdc.gov
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2023
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Source Full Name:
  Clinical Infectious Diseases
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:ad401b580902d588797af40302340c37b94189b8955767e4b8122fbde2856bef5d9e70a310640d541491b4928be50e9ac2248b1ab3127e10a67fed5755747f79
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/231100/cdc_231100_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 655.01 KB ]