tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
J Korean Med Sci
. 2024 Jan 22;39(3):e15.
doi: 10.3346/jkms.2024.39.e15. Effectiveness of Bivalent mRNA Booster Vaccine Against COVID-19 in Korea
Jin Gu Yoon[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Jang Wook Sohn[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Won Suk Choi[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Seong-Heon Wie[SUP] 5 [/SUP], Jacob Lee[SUP] 6 [/SUP], Jin-Soo Lee[SUP] 7 [/SUP], Hye Won Jeong[SUP] 8 [/SUP], Joong Sik Eom[SUP] 9 [/SUP], Hye Seong[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Eliel Nham[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Yu Jung Choi[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Ji Yun Noh[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Joon Young Song[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Hee Jin Cheong[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Woo Joo Kim[SUP] 1 10 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Background: Bivalent booster mRNA vaccines containing the omicron-variant strains have been introduced worldwide in the autumn of 2022. Nevertheless, the omicron subvariants evoked another large coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic wave in late 2022 and early 2023.
Methods: A retrospective, test-negative, case-control study was conducted to estimate the vaccine effectiveness (VE) of bivalent COVID-19 vaccines in 8 university hospitals between January and February 2023. The case and control groups were divided based on nasopharyngeal COVID-19 real-time polymerase chain reaction results and matched based on age, sex, hospital, and date (week) of the test performed. The VE of the BA.1- or BA.4/BA.5-based mRNA vaccines were estimated. VE was calculated using the 1-adjusted odds ratio from multivariable logistic regression.
Results: In total, 949 patients and 947 controls were enrolled in this study. VE for the BA.4/BA.5-based bivalent mRNA vaccine was 43% (95% confidence interval [CI], 17, 61%). In subgroup analysis based on age and underlying medical conditions, BA.4/BA.5-based bivalent mRNA vaccine was effective against old adults aged ≥ 65-years (VE, 55%; 95% CI, 23, 73%) and individuals with comorbidities (VE, 54%; 95% CI, 23, 73%). In comparison, the BA.1-based bivalent mRNA vaccine did not demonstrate statistically significant effectiveness (VE, 25%; 95% CI, -8, 49%).
Conclusion: The BA.4/BA.5-based bivalent mRNA booster vaccine provided significant protection against COVID-19 in the Korean adults, especially in the older adults aged ≥ 65 years and in individuals with underlying medical conditions.
Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant; Vaccine Efficacy; mRNA Vaccine.
. 2024 Jan 22;39(3):e15.
doi: 10.3346/jkms.2024.39.e15. Effectiveness of Bivalent mRNA Booster Vaccine Against COVID-19 in Korea
Jin Gu Yoon[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Jang Wook Sohn[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Won Suk Choi[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Seong-Heon Wie[SUP] 5 [/SUP], Jacob Lee[SUP] 6 [/SUP], Jin-Soo Lee[SUP] 7 [/SUP], Hye Won Jeong[SUP] 8 [/SUP], Joong Sik Eom[SUP] 9 [/SUP], Hye Seong[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Eliel Nham[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Yu Jung Choi[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Ji Yun Noh[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Joon Young Song[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Hee Jin Cheong[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Woo Joo Kim[SUP] 1 10 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 38258360
- DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2024.39.e15
Background: Bivalent booster mRNA vaccines containing the omicron-variant strains have been introduced worldwide in the autumn of 2022. Nevertheless, the omicron subvariants evoked another large coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic wave in late 2022 and early 2023.
Methods: A retrospective, test-negative, case-control study was conducted to estimate the vaccine effectiveness (VE) of bivalent COVID-19 vaccines in 8 university hospitals between January and February 2023. The case and control groups were divided based on nasopharyngeal COVID-19 real-time polymerase chain reaction results and matched based on age, sex, hospital, and date (week) of the test performed. The VE of the BA.1- or BA.4/BA.5-based mRNA vaccines were estimated. VE was calculated using the 1-adjusted odds ratio from multivariable logistic regression.
Results: In total, 949 patients and 947 controls were enrolled in this study. VE for the BA.4/BA.5-based bivalent mRNA vaccine was 43% (95% confidence interval [CI], 17, 61%). In subgroup analysis based on age and underlying medical conditions, BA.4/BA.5-based bivalent mRNA vaccine was effective against old adults aged ≥ 65-years (VE, 55%; 95% CI, 23, 73%) and individuals with comorbidities (VE, 54%; 95% CI, 23, 73%). In comparison, the BA.1-based bivalent mRNA vaccine did not demonstrate statistically significant effectiveness (VE, 25%; 95% CI, -8, 49%).
Conclusion: The BA.4/BA.5-based bivalent mRNA booster vaccine provided significant protection against COVID-19 in the Korean adults, especially in the older adults aged ≥ 65 years and in individuals with underlying medical conditions.
Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant; Vaccine Efficacy; mRNA Vaccine.