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

Objectives: Compare SARS-CoV-2 infection and work absence rates between vaccinated and unvaccinated employees during a two-year pandemic period.

Methods: Cross-sectional study with 2,107 participants. Primary outcome: total days missed; main exposure: vaccination status. Analyses included t-tests to compare absence days and ANOVA to evaluate confounders. Mixed-effects logistic regression assessed infection risk, incorporating community prevalence as a fixed effect and work location as a random effect.

Results: 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.

Conclusion: 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.