COVID-19 Occupational Risks, Seroprevalence and Immunity among Paramedics in Canada [study data contributed to the CITF Databank]

Background: Due to the nature of their job, paramedics are at high risk for COVID-19 infection and transmission as they perform various procedures and treatments that may increase their exposure to the virus. Aims of the CITF funded study: CORSIP-Canada aimed to determine past infection prevalence and risk of infection by SARS-CoV-2 among paramedics by measuring infection-induced and vaccine-acquired antibodies, and vaccination. It also aimed to investigate their attitudes towards vaccines and risk factors in the workplace to establish optimal strategies and safety guidelines for protection. Methods: Paramedics above the age of 19 in British Columbia, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba were individually recruited into a cohort study via institutional promotion and external advertisements. Participants submitted a baseline questionnaire and blood sample and completed follow-up questionnaires and blood samples every 6 months for one year. Contributed dataset contents: The datasets include 3709 participants who completed baseline questionnaires between January 2021 and March 2023. 76% of participants gave one or more dried blood spots or blood samples for SARS-CoV-2 serology between Jan 2021 and Feb 2023. About 1600 participants provided longitudinal data with serology results for up to 2 years with a median follow-up time of 11 months (median 3 samples). Approximately 380 additional participants gave dried blood spots or blood samples for SARS-CoV-2 serology without completing a questionnaire. Questionnaire variables include data in the following areas of information: demographics (age, gender, race-ethnicity and indigeneity, province, education, household composition, occupations), general health (tobacco use; chronic conditions; height and weight; flu vaccine), COVID infection test results, symptoms and exposure risks, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.