Incidence, severity, risk factors and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 reinfections during the Omicron period: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Our previous systematic review estimated the cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 reinfections as 1.16% (1.01%-1.33%) during the pre-Omicron period. The Omicron variant that emerged in November 2021 was significantly genetically distinct from the previous SARS-CoV-2 variants and thus, more transmissible and posed an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 reinfections in the population. We, therefore, conducted a fresh systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the SARS-CoV-2 reinfection burden during the Omicron period. We searched CINAHL, Medline, Global Health, Embase, and WHO COVID-19 in October 2023 for studies reporting the SARS-CoV-2 reinfection incidence during the Omicron period. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklists. Random effects meta-analyses were conducted to estimate the incidence, and requirement of hospitalisation of SARS-CoV-2 reinfections. Symptomatic severity of reinfections and case fatality rates were analysed narratively. Thirty-six studies were included. We estimated the reinfection cumulative incidence during the Omicron period based on data from 28 studies. We also presented the cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 reinfections by age-groups, vaccination status, and in healthcare workers. Data were limited on disease severity and long-term outcomes. The dataset contains information on the study characteristics of included studies, and overall incidence data, incidence data stratified by different variables (mainly age, sex, vaccination status, comorbidity status, and occupation) and severity and outcomes data reported in included studies.

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DOI

https://doi.org/10.7488/ds/7759

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https://www.research.ed.ac.uk/en/datasets/9431141c-40d1-447a-9946-7fe8fc4d2e8b