The Impact of SARS-CoV-2 on Work Absence: A Cross-sectional Analysis of Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Workers.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to compare SARS-CoV-2 infection and work absence rates between vaccinated and unvaccinated employees during a 2-year pandemic period. This is a cross-sectional study with 2107 participants. Primary outcomes were as follows: total days missed; and main exposure: vaccination status. Analyses included t tests to compare absence days and analysis of variance to evaluate confounders. Mixed-effects logistic regression assessed infection risk, incorporating community prevalence as a fixed effect and work location as a random effect. Vaccinated employees missed slightly fewer days (0.16 days), though not statistically significant ( P = 0.574). Symptom severity and job status were linked to higher absenteeism. Vaccination had a small but significant protective effect ( P = 0.045). Remote work correlated moderately with reduced absenteeism. Vaccination lowered infection risk but not absenteeism due to uniform quarantine policies. Remote work reduced absenteeism and should be integrated into future interventions to support vulnerable workers.