COVID-19 Boosters Halve Hospitalization and Death Risk, Study Finds

Booster vaccines significantly reduced the risk of COVID-19-related hospitalization and death among adults aged 50 and over in England, according to research published in Vaccine. The study, led by the universities of Bristol and Oxford, provides further evidence supporting the effectiveness of booster vaccinations against COVID-19.

Study Findings

The research analyzed the health records of over 3.4 million adults eligible for booster vaccination during the autumn 2022 COVID-19 vaccine rollout in England, comparing them to a matched group of over 3.4 million unboosted individuals. Participants were matched based on age, date of last COVID-19 vaccine dose, prior vaccine brand, clinical vulnerability, and geographical region. The study followed these individuals for nearly a year, tracking hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID-19.

The findings revealed that boosted individuals experienced substantially lower risks of COVID-19 hospitalization (3.78 per 1,000 versus 6.81 per 1,000) and death (0.29 per 1,000 versus 0.61 per 1,000). This translates to a halving of the risks of hospitalization and death associated with COVID-19. Protection was strongest within the first 70 days after vaccination, with effectiveness waning over time.

Similar Effectiveness of Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech Boosters

The study found that both Moderna (Spikevax) and Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) booster vaccines demonstrated similar effectiveness in preventing COVID-19-related hospitalizations and deaths. However, a slightly higher rate of non-COVID-19 mortality was observed in the group receiving the Moderna vaccine (mRNA-1273).

Fracture Risk and Study Validity

Researchers also investigated a potential link between booster vaccination and fracture risk, an outcome not expected to be directly related to COVID-19 vaccination. A small reduction in fracture risk was observed among boosted individuals, suggesting that some unmeasured factors (confounders) may influence both vaccination decisions and health outcomes. However, the researchers noted that the smaller effect size for fracture risk reinforces the validity of the study’s primary conclusions regarding COVID-19 hospitalization and death.

Expert Commentary

Dr. Paul Madley-Dowd, Research Fellow in Medical Statistics and Health Data Science at the University of Bristol, stated, “Our findings reinforce the importance of booster vaccination against COVID-19 among people over 50 years old. The study also provides further evidence that COVID-19 booster vaccinations reduced the risk of hospitalization and death.”

Moderna’s Investment in UK Vaccine Production

In related news, Moderna is investing over £1 billion in UK research and development as part of a 10-year strategic partnership with the government. A new Moderna Innovation and Technology Centre in Oxfordshire is expected to produce up to 250 million vaccine doses annually in the event of a pandemic, bolstering the UK’s national resilience.

Key Takeaways

• COVID-19 booster vaccines halved the risk of hospitalization and death in adults aged 50 and over.
• Both Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech boosters were similarly effective.
• Protection from boosters wanes over time, with the strongest effects in the first 70 days.
• Moderna is expanding its vaccine production capabilities in the UK.