Characteristics of COVID-19 in miners and former miners with a history of silicosis

During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, it was suggested that individuals with chronic lung diseases, such as silicosis, could be at increased risk of complications; however, the evidence remains limited. This study describes the prevalence of COVID-19 among 51 miners and former miners with silicosis who were part of an occupational surveillance program. 96% were over 60 years old, 37.2% had moderate or severe silicosis, and 67% had at least one comorbidity. The prevalence of COVID-19 was 15.7%, lower than the general population, with mild cases and no reported deaths. 94.1% had received at least two doses of vaccine; of these, 12.5% were affected by COVID-19, compared to 66.7% of those who were not vaccinated. These findings suggest that vaccination and preventive measures may have contributed to reduce transmission and severity, highlighting the importance of maintaining protection for individuals with chronic respiratory diseases.