Pfizer-BioNTech Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccine Effectiveness Against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection Among Long-term Care Facility Staff With and Without Prior Infection in New York City, January–June 2021.

This article evaluates the effectiveness of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine among long-term care facility (LTCF) staff in New York City with and without prior severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Using weekly SARS-CoV-2 testing data from January to June 2021 and vaccination records, the study found that full vaccination reduced the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection by approximately 80% among persons without prior infection and increased protection to over 82% among those previously infected, compared with unvaccinated persons without prior infection. Additionally, prior infection alone reduced infection risk by about 55%, but vaccination after infection provided significantly greater protection. These findings support public health recommendations that all eligible individuals, regardless of prior infection status, receive COVID-19 vaccination.