Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39987006›Full record

ArticleBMJ open2025

Time-varying effects of COVID-19 vaccination on symptomatic and asymptomatic infections in a prospective university cohort in the USA.

Lucy Robinson, Anna Feting, Isamu Isozaki, Vicki Seyfert-Morgolis, Mitchell Jay, Edward Kim, Charles Cairns

Abstract read
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Article in BMJ open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Lucy RobinsonDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA lfr32@drexel.edu.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0003-1605-9410
Anna FetingDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Isamu IsozakiDepartment of Computer Science, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Vicki Seyfert-MorgolisMy Own Med Inc, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
Mitchell JayMy Own Med Inc, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
Edward KimDepartment of Computer Science, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Charles CairnsDrexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesDespite widespread vaccination programmes and consensus recommendations, the understanding of the durability of COVID-19 vaccination against ensuing infection and transmission at the individual level is incomplete. The objective of this study was to estimate the effects of time-varying covariates including time since vaccination and symptoms on subsequent positive SARS-CoV-2 test results and assess the stability of these effects between March 2020 and April 2022.

designProspective cohort study.

settingUrban university in the USA.

participantsDrexel University students, faculty, and staff (n=15 527) undergoing mandatory COVID-19 symptom tracking, testing and vaccinations.

interventionSystematic symptom tracking and SARS-COV-2 testing starting in September 2020 and mandatory COVID-19 vaccination starting in September 2021. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness modified by time since vaccination and symptoms.

resultsUsing fit-for-purpose digitally based symptom and vaccine tracking and mandatory comprehensive testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection, we estimate the time-dependent effects of vaccination, symptoms and covariates on the risk of infection with a Cox proportional hazards model based on calendar time scale. We found a strong protective effect of vaccination against symptomatic infection. However, there was strong evidence of a protective effect against infection only in the first 90 days after completed vaccination, and only against symptomatic versus asymptomatic infection. The overall estimated effect of vaccination within 30 days, including asymptomatic infections, was 37.3% (95% CI 26%, 47%). Vaccine effect modification by reported symptoms and time period was estimated, revealing the protective effect of vaccination within 90 days against symptomatic infection that varied from 90% (95% CI 84%, 94%) to 49%(95% CI -77%, 85%) across time periods.

conclusionsThis study is among the first to prospectively capture complete COVID-19 symptom, testing and vaccination data over a multiyear period. Overall effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine against subsequent infection, including transmissible asymptomatic infections, is modest and wanes after 90 days. Vaccination policies may need to take these issues into account.

Indexed as

Asymptomatic InfectionsCOVID-19COVID-19 VaccinesVaccinationVaccine EfficacyAdultCOVID-19 TestingFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedProspective StudiesSARS-CoV-2Time FactorsUnited StatesUniversitiesCOVID-19 VaccinesCOVID-19PUBLIC HEALTHVaccination

Identifiers

PMID39987006
PMCPMC11848656

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LicenceCC BY
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.