Effectiveness of COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines Against COVID-19–Associated Hospitalizations Among Immunocompromised Adults During SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Predominance — VISION Network, 10 States, December 2021—August 2022
Amadea Britton, Peter J. Embí, Matthew E. Levy, Manjusha Gaglani, Malini B. DeSilva, Brian E. Dixon, Kristin Dascomb, Palak Patel, Kristin E. Schrader, Nicola P. Klein, Toan C. Ong, Karthik Natarajan, Emily Hartmann, Anupam B. Kharbanda, Stephanie A. Irving, Monica Dickerson, Margaret M. Dunne, Chandni Raiyani, Shaun J. Grannis, Edward Stenehjem, Ousseny Zerbo, Suchitra Rao, Jungmi Han, Chantel Sloan-Aagard, Eric P. Griggs, Zachary A. Weber, Kempapura Murthy, William F. Fadel, Nancy Grisel, Charlene McEvoy, Ned Lewis, Michelle A. Barron, Juan Nañez, Sarah E. Reese, Mufaddal Mamawala, Nimish R. Valvi, Julie Arndorfer, Kristin Goddard, Duck‐Hye Yang, Bruce Fireman, Sarah W. Ball, Ruth Link‐Gelles, Allison L. Naleway, Mark W. Tenforde
Abstract
hospitalized with COVID-19-like illness,** using a test-negative design comparing odds of previous vaccination among persons with a positive or negative molecular test result (case-patients and control-patients) for SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). During December 16, 2021-August 20, 2022, among SARS-CoV-2 test-positive case-patients, 1,815 (36.3%), 1,387 (27.7%), 1,552 (31.0%), and 251 (5.0%) received 0, 2, 3, and 4 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine doses, respectively. Among test-negative control-patients during this period, 6,928 (23.7%), 7,411 (25.4%), 12,734 (43.6%), and 2,142 (7.3%) received these respective doses. Overall, VE against COVID-19-related hospitalization among adults with immunocompromising conditions hospitalized for COVID-like illness during Omicron predominance was 36% ≥14 days after dose 2, 69% 7-89 days after dose 3, and 44% ≥90 days after dose 3. Restricting the analysis to later periods when Omicron sublineages BA.2/BA.2.12.1 and BA.4/BA.5 were predominant and 3-dose recipients were eligible to receive a fourth dose, VE was 32% ≥90 days after dose 3 and 43% ≥7 days after dose 4. Protection offered by vaccination among persons with immunocompromising conditions during Omicron predominance was moderate even after a 3-dose monovalent primary series or booster dose. Given the incomplete protection against hospitalization afforded by monovalent COVID-19 vaccines, persons with immunocompromising conditions might benefit from updated bivalent vaccine booster doses that target recently circulating Omicron sublineages, in line with ACIP recommendations. Further, additional protective recommendations for persons with immunocompromising conditions, including the use of prophylactic antibody therapy, early access to and use of antivirals, and enhanced nonpharmaceutical interventions such as well-fitting masks or respirators, should also be considered.