Vaccine effectiveness of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine against RT-PCR confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections, hospitalisations and mortality in prioritised risk groups

  1. Hanne-Dorthe Emborg
  2. Palle Valentiner-Branth
  3. Astrid Blicher Schelde
  4. Katrine Finderup Nielsen
  5. Mie Agermose Gram
  6. Ida Rask Moustsen-Helms
  7. Manon Chaine
  8. Ulla Holten Seidelin
  9. Jens Nielsen
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Abstract

Objective

To estimate in a real life setting, the vaccine effectiveness of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine against confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospital admission, and death among five priority groups for vaccination

Design

Cohort study

Setting

Roll-out of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine in Denmark

Participants

864,096 individuals who were first inline to receive the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine: 46,101 long-term care facility (LTCF) residents, 61,805 individuals 65 years and older living at home but requiring practical help and personal care (65PHC), 98,533 individuals ≥85 years of age (+85), 425,799 health-care workers (HCWs), and 231,858 individuals with comorbidities that predispose for severe COVID-19 disease (SCD).

Intervention

vaccination with BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine

Main outcome measures

RT-PCR confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections, COVID-19 related admissions within 14 days after a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, all-cause admission, COVID-19 related death within 30 days after confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, and all-cause death.

Results

Beyond 7 days after the second dose, the VE against SARS-CoV-2 infection in all groups ranged from 53-86%. In 65PHC, HCW and SCD, we observed a substantial reduction in risk of infection 0-7 days after the second dose ranging from 46-71%. The VE against COVID-19 related admissions ranged from 75-87% in all groups except +85 and HCWs where no events occurred. For COVID-19 related deaths, a significant VE was observed in LTCF residents (VE of 89%) and 65PHC (VE of 97%), whereas no events were observed in the three remaining groups. VE against all-cause death ranged from 26-73% in all groups except HCW where an insignificant VE was estimated. For all-cause admission, the VE ranged from 37-50% in all groups except in SCD where a negative VE was observed.

Conclusion

In a real-life setting and more than 7 days after the second dose of BNT162b2 mRNA was administered to the most vulnerable individuals, the vaccine was associated with a reduction of SARS-CoV-2 infection (53-86%) and COVID-19 related admissions (≥75%) or deaths (≥89%).

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