COVID-19: vaccination vs. hospitalization.

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Immunology
• Public Health

Background:

• Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic control relies heavily on vaccination.
• Vaccination rates globally remain below optimal levels, necessitating studies on vaccine effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the vaccination status of hospitalized patients.
• To compare the effectiveness of two different COVID-19 booster vaccine protocols.

Main Methods:

• A multicenter study involving 1401 patients hospitalized between August 1-10, 2021, across 25 hospitals in 16 cities.
• Patients were categorized into eight groups based on vaccination status, including unvaccinated, two doses of Sinovac, and various booster combinations.
• Data collection focused on hospitalization and intensive care unit (ICU) admission rates.

Main Results:

• Nearly half (47.8%) of hospitalized patients were unvaccinated; 32.9% had received two doses of Sinovac.
• Hospitalizations were lower in patients who received two Sinovac doses followed by a BioNTech booster compared to those who received three Sinovac doses.
• 37.7% of all patients required intensive care unit admission.

Conclusions:

• Effective COVID-19 vaccination strategies are crucial for reducing hospitalizations.
• While the efficacy of two Sinovac doses may wane, a booster dose, especially with BioNTech, can enhance protection.
• The study highlights the importance of vaccination and suggests potential strategies to encourage uptake among unvaccinated individuals.