A study of data across 465 Medical Facilities across a large U.S. Healthcare database of 1,228,664 people who completed primary vaccinations between December 2020 and October 2021, severe COVID-19-associated outcomes such as ICU admissions and death were rare. According the study of the 1.2 Million records only 0.015% experience severe outcome or death (0.0033%).
The study assessed the frequency of and risk factors for developing a severe COVID-19
outcome after completing a primary COVID-19 vaccination series (primary vaccination). A vaccination series is defined as receiving 2 doses of the Pfizer or Moderna or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccines 14 or more days before onset of illness.
The study defined severe outcomes as Hospitalization with acute respiratory failure, need for noninvasive ventilation, admission to an intensive care unit or death, including discharge to hospice.
Among 1,228,664 persons who completed primary vaccination during December 2020–October 2021, a total of 2,246 (18.0 per 10,000 vaccinated persons) developed COVID-19 and 189 (1.5 per 10,000) had a severe outcome, including 36 who died (0.3 deaths per 10,000).
Risk for severe outcomes was higher among persons who were aged ≥65 years, were persons with suppressed immune systems or had at least one of six other underlying conditions. All persons with severe outcomes had at least one of these risk factors, and 77.8% of those who died had four or more risk factors.
Severe COVID-19 outcomes after primary vaccination are rare; however, vaccinated persons who are aged ≥65 years, are immunosuppressed, or have other underlying conditions might be at increased risk.
The study concluded that persons with underlying risk factors such as people who present with immunosuppression, diabetes, and chronic kidney, cardiac, pulmonary, neurologic, and liver disease were associated with higher odds for severe COVID-19 outcomes; all persons with severe COVID-19 outcomes after primary vaccination had at least one of these risk factors. The study also found that approximately 70% of eligible adults in the United States have completed a primary COVID-19 vaccination series.
While vaccinations and boosters have saved lives and reduced sever outcomes and death as a significant tool in the battle to break free of COVID-19’s grip, emerging variants require continued vigilance. The study advised, even when vaccinated, persons with identifiable risk factors should receive interventions including chronic disease management, precautions to reduce exposure, additional primary and booster vaccine doses, and effective pharmaceutical therapy to reduce risk for severe COVID-19–associated outcomes.
SOURCE: CDC MMWR