Profile, Infection, and Vaccination Uptake: A Cohort of Canadian Retail Workers During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Study Design and Methods
2.1. Participants and Setting
2.2. Procedures
2.3. Study Exposures and Follow-Up
2.4. Study Outcome
2.5. Statistical Analysis
2.6. Ethics Statement
2.7. Confidentiality and Data Storage
2.8. Participants’ Information
2.9. Patient and Public Involvement Statement
3. Results
3.1. Participant Characteristics
3.2. SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Related Symptoms
3.3. Vaccination for SARS-CoV-2
4. Discussion
5. Strengths, and Limitations
6. Conclusions
Supplementary Materials
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
- Pathela, P.; Crawley, A.; Weiss, D.; Maldin, B.; Cornell, J.; Purdin, J.; Schumacher, P.K.; Marovich, S.; Li, J.; Daskalakis, D.; et al. Seroprevalence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Following the Largest Initial Epidemic Wave in the United States: Findings from New York City, 13 May to 21 July 2020. J. Infect. Dis. 2021, 224, 196–206. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Feehan, A.K.; Velasco, C.; Fort, D.; Burton, J.H.; Price-Haywood, E.G.; Katzmarzyk, P.T.; Garcia-Diaz, J.; Seoane, L. Racial and Workplace Disparities in Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA. Emerg. Infect. Dis. 2021, 27, 314. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Sim, M.R. The COVID-19 pandemic: Major risks to healthcare and other workers on the front line. Occup. Environ. Med. 2020, 77, 281–282. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Gomez-Ochoa, S.A.; Franco, O.H.; Rojas, L.Z.; Raguindin, P.F.; Roa-Diaz, Z.M.; Wyssmann, B.M.; Guevara, S.L.R.; Echeverria, L.E.; Glisic, M.; Muka, T. COVID-19 in Health-Care Workers: A Living Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prevalence, Risk Factors, Clinical Characteristics, and Outcomes. Am. J. Epidemiol. 2021, 190, 161–175. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Gholami, M.; Fawad, I.; Shadan, S.; Rowaiee, R.; Ghanem, H.; Hassan Khamis, A.; Ho, S.B. COVID-19 and healthcare workers: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Int. J. Infect. Dis. 2021, 104, 335–346. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Boucher, E.; Cao, C.; D’Mello, S.; Duarte, N.; Donnici, C.; Duarte, N.; Bennett, G.; SeroTracker, C.; Adisesh, A.; Arora, R.; et al. Occupation and SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence studies: A systematic review. BMJ Open 2023, 13, e063771. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Vachon, M.S.; Demmer, R.T.; Yendell, S.; Draeger, K.J.; Beebe, T.J.; Hedberg, C.W. SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence Survey in Grocery Store Workers-Minnesota, 2020–2021. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19, 3501. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Parks, C.A.; Nugent, N.B.; Fleischhacker, S.E.; Yaroch, A.L. Food System Workers are the Unexpected but Under Protected COVID Heroes. J. Nutr. 2020, 150, 2006–2008. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Stringhini, S.; Zaballa, M.E.; Pullen, N.; de Mestral, C.; Perez-Saez, J.; Dumont, R.; Picazio, A.; Pennacchio, F.; Dibner, Y.; Yerly, S.; et al. Large variation in anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence among essential workers in Geneva, Switzerland. Nat. Commun. 2021, 12, 3455. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- de Gier, B.; de Oliveira Bressane Lima, P.; van Gaalen, R.D.; de Boer, P.T.; Alblas, J.; Ruijten, M.; van Gageldonk-Lafeber, A.B.; Waegemaekers, T.; Schreijer, A.; van den Hof, S.; et al. Occupation- and age-associated risk of SARS-CoV-2 test positivity, the Netherlands, June to October 2020. Eurosurveillance 2020, 25, 2001884. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Furuse, Y.; Sando, E.; Tsuchiya, N.; Miyahara, R.; Yasuda, I.; Ko, Y.K.; Saito, M.; Morimoto, K.; Imamura, T.; Shobugawa, Y.; et al. Clusters of Coronavirus Disease in Communities, Japan, January–April 2020. Emerg. Infect. Dis. 2020, 26, 2176. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Tang, S.; Ji, L.; Bishwajit, G.; Guo, S. Uptake of COVID-19 and influenza vaccines in relation to preexisting chronic conditions in the European countries. BMC Geriatr. 2024, 24, 56. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Supplemental Guidance on Influenza Vaccination in Adults 65 Years of Age and Older, on Government of Canada. Available online: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/vaccines-immunization/national-advisory-committee-immunization-supplemental-guidance-influenza-vaccination-adults-65-years-older.html (accessed on 30 July 2025).
- Public Health Agency of Canada. 2025-02-03 2025. Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Coverage in Canada, 2023–2024, on Government of Canada. Available online: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/immunization-vaccines/vaccination-coverage/seasonal-influenza-survey-results-2023-2024/full-report.html (accessed on 30 July 2025).
- Decarie, Y.; Michaud, P.C. Counting the Dead: COVID-19 and Mortality in Quebec and British Columbia During the First Wave. Can. Stud. Popul. 2021, 48, 139–164. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Shim, E. Regional Variability in COVID-19 Case Fatality Rate in Canada, February–December 2020. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 1839. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Kohler, P.P.; Kahlert, C.R.; Sumer, J.; Flury, D.; Gusewell, S.; Leal-Neto, O.B.; Notter, J.; Albrich, W.C.; Babouee Flury, B.; McGeer, A.; et al. Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among Swiss hospital workers: Results of a prospective cohort study. Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 2021, 42, 604–608. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Jespersen, S.; Mikkelsen, S.; Greve, T.; Kaspersen, K.A.; Tolstrup, M.; Boldsen, J.K.; Redder, J.D.; Nielsen, K.; Abildgaard, A.M.; Kolstad, H.A.; et al. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Seroprevalence Survey Among 17,971 Healthcare and Administrative Personnel at Hospitals, Prehospital Services, and Specialist Practitioners in the Central Denmark Region. Clin. Infect. Dis. 2021, 73, e2853–e2860. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Anonymous. COVID-19 Immunity Task Force Standardized Core Survey Data Elements. Available online: https://www.covid19immunitytaskforce.ca/COVID-19-immunity-task-force-releases-standardized-core-survey-data-elements/ (accessed on 15 February 2023).
- Boudreau, D.; Trottier, S.; Masson, J.F.; Baz Etchebarne, M.; Gilbert, C.; Pelletier, J. 2021–2022. CISACOV Investigators. Cellular Immunity and Seroprevalence of Antibodies Against SARS-CoV-2: Characterisation of Three Populations of Food Workers, Maelstrom. Available online: https://www.maelstrom-research.org/study/cisacov (accessed on 15 February 2023).
- Simard, M.; Montigny, C.D.; Jean, S.; Fortin, É.; Blais, C.; Théberge, I.; Rochette, L.; Dubé, M.; Trépanier, P.-L.; Gilca, R. Impact des Comorbidités sur les Risques de Décès et d’Hospitalisation Chez les cas Confirmés de la COVID-19 Durant les Premiers mois de la Pandémie au Québec; Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec: Québec, QC, Canada, 2020. [Google Scholar]
- Zhu, J.; Ji, P.; Pang, J.; Zhong, Z.; Li, H.; He, C.; Zhang, J.; Zhao, C. Clinical characteristics of 3062 COVID-19 patients: A meta-analysis. J. Med. Virol. 2020, 92, 1902–1914. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Burke, R.M.; Killerby, M.E.; Newton, S.; Ashworth, C.E.; Berns, A.L.; Brennan, S.; Bressler, J.M.; Bye, E.; Crawford, R.; Harduar Morano, L.; et al. Symptom Profiles of a Convenience Sample of Patients with COVID-19—United States, January–April 2020. MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. 2020, 69, 904–908. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Government of Canada. COVID-19 Signs, Symptoms and Severity of Disease: A Clinician Guide. Available online: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/guidance-documents/signs-symptoms-severity.html (accessed on 10 July 2025).
- Bechard, L.E.; Bergelt, M.; Neudorf, B.; DeSouza, T.C.; Middleton, L.E. Using the Health Belief Model to Understand Age Differences in Perceptions and Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Front. Psychol. 2021, 12, 609893. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Kowalsky, J.M. Predicting COVID-19 and seasonal influenza vaccine uptake: The impact of fear and vasovagal symptoms. Appl. Psychol. Health Well-Being 2023, 15, 293–314. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Luisi, M.; Geana, M.V.; Pei, J. Pandemic antecedents—Exploring predictivity and relationships between COVID-19 vaccine uptake and influenza, shingles, and HPV vaccination. Vaccine 2024, 42, 2455–2462. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- COVID-19 Vaccination: Vaccination Coverage, on Government of Canada. Available online: https://health-infobase.canada.ca/COVID-19/vaccination-coverage/ (accessed on 30 July 2025).
- Robinson, L.; Feting, A.; Isozaki, I.; Seyfert-Morgolis, V.; Jay, M.; Kim, E.; Cairns, C. Time-varying effects of COVID-19 vaccination on symptomatic and asymptomatic infections in a prospective university cohort in the USA. BMJ Open 2025, 15, e084408. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Lund, L.C.; Stovring, H.; Pottegard, A.; Andersen, M.; Hallas, J. Cox regression using a calendar time scale was unbiased in simulations of COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness & safety. J. Clin. Epidemiol. 2023, 156, 127–136. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Bradburn, M.J.; Clark, T.G.; Love, S.B.; Altman, D.G. Survival analysis part II: Multivariate data analysis—An introduction to concepts and methods. Br. J. Cancer 2003, 89, 431–436. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Santerre, K.; Theriault, M.; Brousseau, N.; Langlois, M.A.; Arnold, C.; Pelletier, J.N.; Gilbert, C.; Masson, J.F.; Baz, M.; Boudreau, D.; et al. Infection Rate and Risk Factors of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Retail Workers at the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Quebec, Canada. Infect. Dis. Rep. 2024, 16, 1240–1253. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
Overall Study | Restaurant/Bar | Grocery Store | Hardware Store | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Population | Workers | Workers | Workers | |||||||||||||
Total | COVID-19 1 | Total | COVID-19 1 | Total | COVID-19 1 | Total | COVID-19 1 | |||||||||
(N = 304) | (N = 117) | (N = 149) | (N = 62) | (N = 112) | (N = 42) | (N = 43) | (N = 13) | |||||||||
Age (years), Mean ± SD | 41.3 | ±15.9 | 39.6 | ±14.6 | 37.2 | ±14.8 | 36.2 | ±14.3 | 44.2 | ±15.3 | 42.4 | ±14.1 | 48.2 | ±17.3 | 46.5 | ±14.6 |
Age groups, N (%) | ||||||||||||||||
18–59 | 257 | (84.5%) | 106 | (90.6%) | 135 | (90.6%) | 57 | (91.9%) | 93 | (83.0%) | 37 | (88.1%) | 29 | (67.4%) | 12 | (92.3%) |
60–75 | 47 | (15.5%) | 11 | (9.4%) | 14 | (9.4%) | 5 | (8.1%) | 19 | (17.0%) | 5 | (11.9%) | 14 | (32.6%) | 1 | (7.7%) |
Sex, N (%) | ||||||||||||||||
Female | 176 | (57.9%) | 72 | (61.5%) | 95 | (63.8%) | 39 | (62.9%) | 57 | (50.9%) | 25 | (59.5%) | 24 | (55.8%) | 8 | (61.5%) |
Male | 128 | (42.1%) | 45 | (38.5%) | 54 | (36.2%) | 23 | (37.1%) | 55 | (49.1%) | 17 | (40.5%) | 19 | (44.2%) | 5 | (38.5%) |
Race/ethnicity, 2 N (%) | ||||||||||||||||
White | 294 | (96.7%) | 114 | (97.4%) | 142 | (95.3%) | 61 | (98.4%) | 109 | (97.3%) | 40 | (95.2%) | 43 | (100.0%) | 13 | (100.0%) |
Asian | 5 | (1.6%) | 0 | (0.0%) | 4 | (2.7%) | 0 | (0.0%) | 1 | (0.9%) | 0 | (0.0%) | 0 | (0.0%) | 0 | (0.0%) |
Latino American | 3 | (1.0%) | 1 | (0.9%) | 3 | (2.0%) | 1 | (1.6%) | 0 | (0.0%) | 0 | (0.0%) | 0 | (0.0%) | 0 | (0.0%) |
Black | 2 | (0.7%) | 2 | (1.7%) | 0 | (0.0%) | 0 | (0.0%) | 2 | (1.8%) | 2 | (4.8%) | 0 | (0.0%) | 0 | (0.0%) |
Educational attainment, N (%) | ||||||||||||||||
Less than high school | 14 | (4.6%) | 3 | (2.6%) | 4 | (2.7%) | 2 | (3.2%) | 9 | (8.0%) | 0 | (0.0%) | 1 | (2.3%) | 1 | (7.7%) |
High school | 79 | (26.0%) | 27 | (23.1%) | 42 | (28.2%) | 14 | (22.6%) | 23 | (20.5%) | 7 | (16.7%) | 14 | (32.6%) | 6 | (46.2%) |
Professional | 41 | (13.5%) | 13 | (11.1%) | 19 | (12.8%) | 6 | (9.7%) | 16 | (14.3%) | 6 | (14.3%) | 6 | (14.0%) | 1 | (7.7%) |
College | 101 | (33.2%) | 45 | (38.5%) | 51 | (34.2%) | 26 | (41.9%) | 35 | (31.3%) | 14 | (33.3%) | 15 | (34.9%) | 5 | (38.5%) |
University baccalaureate | 54 | (17.8%) | 22 | (18.8%) | 28 | (18.8%) | 12 | (19.4%) | 21 | (18.8%) | 10 | (23.8%) | 5 | (11.6%) | 0 | (0.0%) |
Graduate studies | 15 | (4.9%) | 7 | (6.0%) | 5 | (3.4%) | 2 | (3.2%) | 8 | (7.1%) | 5 | (11.9%) | 2 | (4.7%) | 0 | (0.0%) |
Overall Study | Restaurant/Bar | Grocery Store | Hardware Store | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Population | Workers | Workers | Workers | |||||||||||||
Total | COVID-19 1 | Total | COVID-19 1 | Total | COVID-19 1 | Total | COVID-19 1 | |||||||||
(N = 304) | (N = 117) | (N = 149) | (N = 62) | (N = 112) | (N = 42) | (N = 43) | (N = 13) | |||||||||
BMI scores, Mean ± SD | 27.3 | ±6.1 | 27.5 | ±6.4 | 27.0 | ±6.9 | 26.83 | ±6.7 | 28.1 | ±5.3 | 27.94 | ±5.2 | 26.3 | ±5.3 | 27.51 | ±6.6 |
<18.5 (underweight) | 4 | (1.3%) | 1 | (0.9%) | 2 | (1.3%) | 1 | (1.6%) | 2 | (1.8%) | 0 | (0.0%) | 0 | (0.0%) | 0 | (0.0%) |
18.5–24.9 (healthy weight) | 125 | (41.1%) | 49 | (41.9%) | 73 | (49.0%) | 30 | (48.4%) | 29 | (25.9%) | 13 | (31.0%) | 23 | (53.5%) | 6 | (46.2%) |
25.0–29.9 (overweight) | 82 | (27.0%) | 23 | (19.7%) | 31 | (20.8%) | 10 | (16.1%) | 39 | (34.8%) | 9 | (21.4%) | 12 | (27.9%) | 4 | (30.8%) |
≥30 (obesity) 2 | 93 | (30.6%) | 44 | (37.6%) | 43 | (28.9%) | 21 | (33.9%) | 42 | (37.5%) | 20 | (47.6%) | 8 | (18.6%) | 3 | (23.1%) |
Smoking, N (%) | ||||||||||||||||
Cigarette user | 53 | (17.4%) | 22 | (18.8%) | 33 | (22.1%) | 14 | (22.6%) | 16 | (14.3%) | 6 | (14.3%) | 4 | (9.3%) | 2 | (15.4%) |
E-cigarette user | 24 | (7.9%) | 8 | (6.8%) | 20 | (13.4%) | 6 | (9.7%) | 3 | (2.7%) | 2 | (4.8%) | 1 | (2.3%) | 0 | (0.0%) |
Comorbidities 3, N (%) | 97 | (31.9%) | 36 | (30.8%) | 36 | (24.2%) | 14 | (22.6%) | 40 | (35.7%) | 15 | (35.7%) | 21 | (48.8%) | 7 | (53.8%) |
Arterial hypertension | 39 | (12.8%) | 11 | (9.4%) | 13 | (8.7%) | 4 | (6.5%) | 18 | (16.1%) | 6 | (14.3%) | 8 | (18.6%) | 1 | (7.7%) |
Lung disease | 33 | (10.9%) | 16 | (13.7%) | 13 | (8.7%) | 6 | (9.7%) | 14 | (12.5%) | 9 | (21.4%) | 6 | (14.0%) | 1 | (7.7%) |
Diabetes mellitus | 18 | (5.9%) | 5 | (4.3%) | 4 | (2.7%) | 1 | (1.6%) | 11 | (9.8%) | 3 | (7.1%) | 3 | (7.0%) | 1 | (7.7%) |
Hypothyroidism | 17 | (5.6%) | 4 | (3.4%) | 6 | (4.0%) | 2 | (3.2%) | 6 | (5.4%) | 1 | (2.4%) | 5 | (11.6%) | 1 | (7.7%) |
Cancer | 10 | (3.3%) | 3 | (2.6%) | 4 | (2.7%) | 1 | (1.6%) | 5 | (4.5%) | 2 | (4.8%) | 1 | (2.3%) | 0 | (0.0%) |
Cardiovascular disease | 8 | (2.6%) | 2 | (1.7%) | 2 | (1.3%) | 0 | (0.0%) | 3 | (2.7%) | 1 | (2.4%) | 3 | (7.0%) | 1 | (7.7%) |
Immune deficiency | 7 | (2.3%) | 5 | (4.3%) | 3 | (2.0%) | 3 | (4.8%) | 1 | (0.9%) | 0 | (0.0%) | 3 | (7.0%) | 2 | (15.4%) |
Chronic neurological disorder | 5 | (1.6%) | 1 | (0.9%) | 2 | (1.3%) | 1 | (1.6%) | 2 | (1.8%) | 0 | (0.0%) | 1 | (2.3%) | 0 | (0.0%) |
Chronic liver disease | 2 | (0.7%) | 0 | (0.0%) | 0 | (0.0%) | 0 | (0.0%) | 1 | (0.9%) | 0 | (0.0%) | 1 | (2.3%) | 0 | (0.0%) |
Blood disorder | 1 | (0.3%) | 1 | (0.9%) | 1 | (0.7%) | 1 | (1.6%) | 0 | (0.0%) | 0 | (0.0%) | 0 | (0.0%) | 0 | (0.0%) |
Obesity 2 | 1 | (0%) | 0 | (0%) | 1 | (1%) | 0 | (0%) | 0 | (0%) | 0 | (0%) | 0 | (0%) | 0 | (0%) |
Influenza vaccination, N (%) | ||||||||||||||||
Usually received | 52 | (17.1%) | 21 | (17.9%) | 23 | (15.4%) | 12 | (19.4%) | 18 | (16.1%) | 7 | (16.7%) | 11 | (25.6%) | 2 | (15.4%) |
Season 2020–2021 4 | 42 | (13.8%) | 12 | (10.3%) | 17 | (11.4%) | 5 | (8.1%) | 15 | (13.4%) | 5 | (11.9%) | 10 | (23.3%) | 2 | (15.4%) |
Overall Study | Restaurant/Bar | Grocery Store | Hardware Store | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Population | Workers | Workers | Workers | |||||||||||||
Total | COVID-19 1 | Total | COVID-19 1 | Total | COVID-19 1 | Total | COVID-19 1 | |||||||||
(N = 304) | (N = 117) | (N = 149) | (N = 62) | (N = 112) | (N = 42) | (N = 43) | (N = 13) | |||||||||
Workplace region, 2 N (%) | ||||||||||||||||
Capitale-Nationale | 240 | (78.9%) | 96 | (82.1%) | 123 | (82.6%) | 49 | (79.0%) | 85 | (75.9%) | 36 | (85.7%) | 32 | (74.4%) | 11 | (84.6%) |
Chaudière-Appalaches | 64 | (21.1%) | 19 | (16.2%) | 26 | (17.4%) | 12 | (19.4%) | 27 | (24.1%) | 6 | (14.3%) | 11 | (25.6%) | 1 | (7.7%) |
Weekly hours worked, 3 Mean ± SD | 27.9 | ±11.5 | 28.9 | ±11.4 | 24.7 | ±11.0 | 24.5 | ±11.0 | 32.6 | ±10.4 | 34.2 | ±9.8 | 26.6 | ±11.9 | 32.3 | ±10.4 |
Participants working | ||||||||||||||||
Full time (≥30) | 141 | (46.4%) | 64 | (54.7%) | 49 | (32.9%) | 23 | (37.1%) | 73 | (65.2%) | 32 | (76.2%) | 19 | (44.2%) | 9 | (69.2%) |
Part time (<30) | 163 | (53.6%) | 53 | (45.3%) | 100 | (67.1%) | 39 | (62.9%) | 39 | (34.8%) | 10 | (23.8%) | 24 | (55.8%) | 4 | (30.8%) |
Gathering of 10+ persons, 3 Mean ± SD | ||||||||||||||||
Per group, N (%) | ||||||||||||||||
None | 34 | (11.2%) | 6 | (5.1%) | 16 | (10.7%) | 2 | (3.2%) | 15 | (13.4%) | 4 | (9.5%) | 3 | (7.0%) | 0 | (0.0%) |
1 to 10 gatherings | 146 | (48.0%) | 47 | (40.2%) | 57 | (38.3%) | 16 | (25.8%) | 62 | (55.4%) | 22 | (52.4%) | 27 | (62.8%) | 9 | (69.2%) |
11 to 50 gatherings | 101 | (33.2%) | 51 | (43.6%) | 58 | (38.9%) | 33 | (53.2%) | 32 | (28.6%) | 14 | (33.3%) | 11 | (25.6%) | 4 | (30.8%) |
>50 gatherings | 23 | (7.6%) | 13 | (11.1%) | 18 | (12.1%) | 11 | (17.7%) | 3 | (2.7%) | 2 | (4.8%) | 2 | (4.7%) | 0 | (0.0%) |
Transportation, 2 N (%) | ||||||||||||||||
Car | 266 | (87.5%) | 103 | (88.0%) | 127 | (85.2%) | 54 | (87.1%) | 98 | (87.5%) | 37 | (88.1%) | 41 | (95.3%) | 12 | (92.3%) |
Bus | 39 | (12.8%) | 16 | (13.7%) | 23 | (15.4%) | 9 | (14.5%) | 10 | (8.9%) | 5 | (11.9%) | 6 | (14.0%) | 2 | (15.4%) |
Walking | 28 | (9.2%) | 11 | (9.4%) | 13 | (8.7%) | 6 | (9.7%) | 14 | (12.5%) | 5 | (11.9%) | 1 | (2.3%) | 0 | (0.0%) |
Bicycle | 13 | (4.3%) | 6 | (5.1%) | 7 | (4.7%) | 3 | (4.8%) | 4 | (3.6%) | 2 | (4.8%) | 2 | (4.7%) | 1 | (7.7%) |
Carpooling | 2 | (0.7%) | 2 | (1.7%) | 1 | (0.7%) | 1 | (1.6%) | 1 | (0.9%) | 1 | (2.4%) | 0 | (0.0%) | 0 | (0.0%) |
Travel, 3 N (%) | ||||||||||||||||
Any destination | 143 | (47.0%) | 70 | (59.8%) | 79 | (53.0%) | 40 | (64.5%) | 48 | (42.9%) | 25 | (59.5%) | 16 | (37.2%) | 5 | (38.5%) |
In Canada | 78 | (25.7%) | 39 | (33.3%) | 45 | (30.2%) | 24 | (38.7%) | 23 | (20.5%) | 13 | (31.0%) | 10 | (23.3%) | 2 | (15.4%) |
To USA | 45 | (14.8%) | 20 | (17.1%) | 25 | (16.8%) | 11 | (17.7%) | 16 | (14.3%) | 8 | (19.0%) | 4 | (9.3%) | 1 | (7.7%) |
Other destination 4 | 84 | (27.6%) | 45 | (38.5%) | 47 | (31.5%) | 25 | (40.3%) | 28 | (25.0%) | 16 | (38.1%) | 9 | (20.9%) | 4 | (30.8%) |
Overall | Bar/ | Grocery | Hardware | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cohort | Restaurant | Store | Store | |
Participant reporting | 117 | 62 | 42 | 13 |
PCR | 41 | 25 | 14 | 2 |
Antigen detection | 76 | 37 | 28 | 11 |
Overall | Bar/ | Grocery | Hardware | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cohort | Restaurant | Store | Store | ||
(N = 117) | (N = 62) | (N = 42) | (N = 13) | ||
No symptom, N (%) | 6 | (5.1%) | 2 | 4 | 0 |
Symptoms, N (%) | 111 | (94.9%) | 60 | 38 | 13 |
Runny nose or nasal congestion | 76 | (65.0%) | 39 | 26 | 11 |
Cough | 74 | (63.2%) | 41 | 25 | 8 |
Headache | 71 | (60.7%) | 36 | 26 | 9 |
Sore throat | 70 | (59.8%) | 41 | 23 | 6 |
Fever | 68 | (58.1%) | 39 | 19 | 9 |
Muscle pain | 65 | (55.6%) | 35 | 22 | 8 |
Shortness of breath | 56 | (47.9%) | 27 | 21 | 8 |
Loss of sense of smell or taste | 26 | (22.2%) | 11 | 10 | 5 |
Diarrhea | 16 | (13.7%) | 7 | 8 | 1 |
Two Doses (Complete Primary Series) | Three Doses (First Booster) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Characteristic | HR (95% CI) | p Value | HR (95% CI) | p Value |
Type of work | ||||
Grocery Stores | Ref. | Ref. | ||
Hardware stores | 1.72 (1.20–2.47) | 0.003 | 1.65 (1.03–2.64) | 0.036 |
Resto/Bar | 1.05 (0.81–1.35) | 0.714 | 0.90 (0.64–1.28) | 0.570 |
Age (years) | ||||
18–39 | Ref. | Ref. | ||
40–59 | 1.18 (0.92–1.53) | 0.201 | 1.59 (1.11–2.29) | 0.012 |
60–75 | 1.69 (1.21–2.37) | 0.002 | 3.05 (1.97–4.70) | 0.000 |
Sex | ||||
Female | Ref. | Ref. | ||
Male | 1.04 (0.82–1.31) | 0.748 | 1.06 (0.77–1.46) | 0.715 |
Education | ||||
High school | Ref. | Ref. | ||
Collge | 0.91 (0.70–1.20) | 0.518 | 0.81 (0.57–1.17) | 0.272 |
University | 0.96 (0.72–1.29) | 0.798 | 0.85 (0.56–1.28) | 0.439 |
BMI | ||||
<25 (healthy weight) | Ref. | Ref. | ||
≥25 (overweight) | 1.04 (0.78–1.38) | 0.796 | 0.98 (0.65–1.46) | 0.907 |
≥30 (obese) | 0.84 (0.63–1.11) | 0.213 | 1.13 (0.78–1.63) | 0.519 |
Comorbidities 1 | ||||
No | Ref. | Ref. | ||
Yes | 1.50 (1.17–1.93) | 0.001 | 1.65 (1.19–2.29) | 0.002 |
Cigarette smoking | ||||
No | Ref. | Ref. | ||
Yes | 0.86 (0.63–1.17) | 0.327 | 1.10 (0.72–1.67) | 0.672 |
E-Smoking | ||||
No | Ref. | Ref. | ||
Yes | 1.03 (0.66–1.58) | 0.913 | 0.67 (0.33–1.37) | 0.275 |
Influenza vaccine season 2020–2021 2 | ||||
No | Ref. | Ref. | ||
Yes | 1.60 (1.14–2.25) | 0.006 | 2.70 (1.79–4.06) | <0.001 |
Workplace region | ||||
Capitale-Nationale | Ref. | Ref. | ||
Chaudière-Appalaches | 1.09 (0.82–1.44) | 0.567 | 1.32 (0.90–1.94) | 0.152 |
Working hours | ||||
<30 h/w | Ref. | Ref. | ||
≥30 h/w | 0.93 (0.74–1.18) | 0.554 | 1.27 (0.93–1.75) | 0.138 |
Gatherings 3 | ||||
≤10 | Ref. | Ref. | ||
>10 | 0.78 (0.61–0.98) | 0.037 | 0.46 (0.33–0.65) | <0.001 |
Travel | ||||
No | Ref. | Ref. | ||
Yes 4 | 0.98 (0.77–1.23) | 0.833 | 0.53 (0.38–0.73) | <0.001 |
Household resident number | ||||
1–2 | Ref. | Ref. | ||
3–4 | 0.87 (0.68–1.13) | 0.302 | 0.80 (0.56–1.15) | 0.236 |
≥5 | 0.76 (0.48–1.19) | 0.226 | 0.60 (0.29–1.23) | 0.166 |
Two Doses (Primary Series) | Three Doses (First Booster) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Characteristics | aHR (95% CI) | p Value | aHR (95% CI) | p Value |
Type of work | ||||
Grocery Stores | Ref. | Ref. | ||
Hardware stores | 1.49 (1.02–2.18) | 0.041 | 1.21 (0.73–2.02) | 0.461 |
Resto/Bar | 1.16 (0.86–1.56) | 0.329 | 1.45 (0.96–2.18) | 0.080 |
Age (years) | ||||
18–39 | Ref. | Ref. | ||
40–59 | 1.16 (0.85–1.58) | 0.338 | 1.24 (0.81–1.90) | 0.312 |
60–75 | 1.32 (0.87–20) | 0.199 | 2.39 (1.40–4.10) | 0.002 |
Sex | ||||
Female | Ref. | Ref. | ||
Male | 1.09 (0.85–1.40) | 0.474 | 1.14 (0.81–1.60) | 0.459 |
Education | ||||
High school | Ref. | Ref. | ||
College | 0.97 (0.73–1.30) | 0.855 | 1.07 (0.73–1.57) | 0.728 |
University | 1.03 (0.74–1.45) | 0.847 | 1.31 (0.84–2.05) | 0.235 |
BMI | ||||
<25 (healthy weight) | Ref. | Ref. | ||
≥25 (overweight) | 0.95 (0.69–1.30) | 0.742 | 0.78 (0.5–1.22) | 0.271 |
≥30 (obese) | 0.78 (0.57–1.07) | 0.124 | 0.84 (0.55–1.30) | 0.435 |
Comorbidities 1 | ||||
No | Ref. | Ref. | ||
Yes | 1.3 (0.96–1.77) | 0.089 | 1.1 (0.74–1.63) | 0.642 |
Cigarette smoking | ||||
No | Ref. | Ref. | ||
Yes | 0.89 (0.65–1.24) | 0.498 | 1 (0.63–1.58) | 0.994 |
E-Smoking | ||||
No | Ref. | Ref. | ||
Yes | 1.05 (0.64–1.73) | 0.838 | 0.94 (0.42–2.08) | 0.876 |
Influenza vaccine season 2020–2021 2 | ||||
No | Ref. | Ref. | ||
Yes | 1.51 (1.04–2.19) | 0.030 | 2.48 (1.54–3.98) | <0.001 |
Workplace region | ||||
Capitale-Nationale | Ref. | Ref. | ||
Chaudière-Appalaches | 1.18 (0.87–1.60) | 0.279 | 1.42 (0.93–2.15) | 0.100 |
Working hours | ||||
<30 h/w | Ref. | Ref. | ||
≥30 h/w | 0.98 (0.73–1.32) | 0.916 | 1.25 (0.84–1.85) | 0.272 |
Gatherings 3 | ||||
≤10 | Ref. | Ref. | ||
>10 | 0.81 (0.61–1.06) | 0.129 | 0.58 (0.39–0.85) | 0.006 |
Travel | ||||
No | Ref. | Ref. | ||
Yes 4 | 0.97 (0.74–1.27) | 0.843 | 0.62 (0.43–0.91) | 0.014 |
Household resident number | ||||
1–2 | Ref. | Ref. | ||
3–4 | 0.99 (0.75–1.31) | 0.947 | 1.09 (0.72–1.64) | 0.695 |
≥5 | 0.87 (0.52–1.45) | 0.584 | 0.51 (0.23–1.16) | 0.111 |
Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content. |
© 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Share and Cite
Thériault, M.; Santerre, K.; Brousseau, N.; Rochette, S.; Omar, R.F.; Pelletier, J.N.; Gilbert, C.; Masson, J.-F.; Baz, M.; Boudreau, D.; et al. Profile, Infection, and Vaccination Uptake: A Cohort of Canadian Retail Workers During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic. Infect. Dis. Rep. 2025, 17, 122. https://doi.org/10.3390/idr17050122
Thériault M, Santerre K, Brousseau N, Rochette S, Omar RF, Pelletier JN, Gilbert C, Masson J-F, Baz M, Boudreau D, et al. Profile, Infection, and Vaccination Uptake: A Cohort of Canadian Retail Workers During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic. Infectious Disease Reports. 2025; 17(5):122. https://doi.org/10.3390/idr17050122
Chicago/Turabian StyleThériault, Mathieu, Kim Santerre, Nicholas Brousseau, Samuel Rochette, Rabeea F. Omar, Joelle N. Pelletier, Caroline Gilbert, Jean-François Masson, Mariana Baz, Denis Boudreau, and et al. 2025. "Profile, Infection, and Vaccination Uptake: A Cohort of Canadian Retail Workers During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic" Infectious Disease Reports 17, no. 5: 122. https://doi.org/10.3390/idr17050122
APA StyleThériault, M., Santerre, K., Brousseau, N., Rochette, S., Omar, R. F., Pelletier, J. N., Gilbert, C., Masson, J.-F., Baz, M., Boudreau, D., & Trottier, S. (2025). Profile, Infection, and Vaccination Uptake: A Cohort of Canadian Retail Workers During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic. Infectious Disease Reports, 17(5), 122. https://doi.org/10.3390/idr17050122