Course: Association of BNT162b2 Vaccine Third Dose Receipt With Incidence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection, COVID-19–Related Hospitalization, and Death Among Residents of Long-term Care Facilities, August to October 2021
CME Credits: 1.00
Released: 2022-07-01
Key Points
Question What is the association between vaccination with the third dose of BNT162b2 vaccine and the incidence of COVID-19 among residents of long-term care facilities?Findings In this cohort study of 18,611 residents at 640 long-term care facilities, the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19–related hospitalizations, and COVID-19–related deaths was 89% to 96% lower among residents who received the third dose of BNT162b2 vaccine compared with vaccinees who received 2 doses at least 5 months earlier during the Delta variant surge in Israel.
Meaning The third dose of BNT162b2 vaccine was associated with a reduced burden of SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19–related hospitalizations, and COVID-19–related deaths in long-term care facilities.
Abstract
Importance COVID-19 vaccine might be less immunogenic and effective among residents of long-term care facilities (LTCFs).Objective To examine the association of BNT162b2 third dose (first booster dose) with overall SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19 hospitalizations, and mortality among LTCF residents during a nationwide surge of the Delta variant in Israel.
Design, Setting, and Participants This observational cohort study conducted nationwide COVID-19 surveillance in LTCFs in Israel between August and October 2021. Participants were residents of LTCFs aged 60 years or older.
Exposures Vaccination with the third dose of BNT162b2 vaccine vs receipt of 2 doses at least 5 months earlier, based on self-preference and choice.
Main Outcomes and Measures The cumulative incidences of reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)–confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19 hospitalizations, and COVID-19–related deaths more than 7 days after vaccination with the third dose were compared between the groups using Kaplan-Meier curves. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs were obtained using multivariable Cox regression models.
Results Among 18,611 residents included in the analysis, 12,715 (68.3%) were female, 463 (2.5%) were from the Arab population, 16,976 (91.2%) were from the general Jewish population, and 618 (3.3%) were from the ultraorthodox Jewish population; the mean (SD) age was 81.1 (9.2) years; 16,082 residents received their first booster dose (third dose) and 2529 were vaccinated with 2 doses at least 5 months earlier. The median (IQR) follow-up durations were 66 (60-70) days among 3-dose recipients and 56 (53-62) days among 2-dose–only recipients; 107 residents had SARS-CoV-2 infection after 7 days following vaccination with the booster dose compared with 185 among the 2-dose only group (cumulative incidence: 0.7% vs 7.5%; adjusted HR, 0.11 [95% CI, 0.07-0.15]). The respective adjusted HRs were 0.07 (95% CI, 0.03-0.14) and 0.10 (95% CI, 0.04-0.24) for the associations of vaccination with the third dose with hospitalization for mild-to-moderate COVID-19 and severe illness. Five COVID-19-related deaths occurred among the third dose vaccinees during the follow-up period compared with 22 among the 2-dose–only vaccinees (cumulative rate: 0.04% vs 0.9%; adjusted HR, 0.04 [95% CI, 0.009-0.16]).
Conclusions and Relevance This cohort study found significant inverse associations between vaccination with the third dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine with overall SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19 hospitalizations, severe disease, and COVID-19–related deaths among LTCF residents during a massive surge caused by the Delta variant in Israel.
Educational Objective
To identify the key insights or developments described in this article
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