COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness against the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 in multimorbidity: A territory-wide case-control study

Francisco Tsz Tsun Lai, Vincent Ka Chun Yan, Eric Yuk Fai Wan, Cheyenne I. Ying Chan, Cuiling Wei, Franco Wing Tak Cheng, Celine Sze Ling Chui, Xue Li, Carlos King Ho Wong, Ching Lung Cheung, Ian Chi Kei Wong, Esther Wai Yin Chan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Multimorbidity entails a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 complications. We examined vaccine effectiveness (VE) stratified by multimorbidity using a case-control study of territory-wide electronic health records in Hong Kong. Cases of infection (testing positive), hospitalization, and mortality were identified from January to March 2022. Controls were matched by age, sex, outpatient attendance/hospitalization date, and Charlson Comorbidity Index. We demonstrated a consistently good VE among people with increased multimorbidity burden; even more so than among those with minimal such burden. There was also a significantly greater VE after a third dose of BNT162b2 or CoronaVac against infection. The difference in VE between those with multimorbidity and those without was less pronounced for hospitalization, and such difference for COVID-19-related mortality was negligible. In conclusion, VE of both examined vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 infection among people with more complex multimorbidity burden is significant. Further vaccine roll-out should prioritize people with multimorbidity.
Original languageEnglish
Article number109428
Number of pages12
JournaliScience
Volume27
Issue number4
Early online date4 Mar 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 19 Apr 2024

Bibliographical note

Copyright © 2024 The Authors. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/).

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