Nature Communications (Sep 2023)

mRNA-1273 bivalent (original and Omicron) COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19 outcomes in the United States

  • Hung Fu Tseng,
  • Bradley K. Ackerson,
  • Lina S. Sy,
  • Julia E. Tubert,
  • Yi Luo,
  • Sijia Qiu,
  • Gina S. Lee,
  • Katia J. Bruxvoort,
  • Jennifer H. Ku,
  • Ana Florea,
  • Harpreet S. Takhar,
  • Radha Bathala,
  • Cindy Ke Zhou,
  • Daina B. Esposito,
  • Morgan A. Marks,
  • Evan J. Anderson,
  • Carla A. Talarico,
  • Lei Qian

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-41537-7
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 1
pp. 1 – 11

Abstract

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Abstract The bivalent (original and Omicron BA.4/BA.5) mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine was authorized to offer broader protection against COVID-19. We conducted a matched cohort study to evaluate the effectiveness of the bivalent vaccine in preventing hospitalization for COVID-19 (primary outcome) and medically attended SARS-CoV-2 infection and hospital death (secondary outcomes). Compared to individuals who did not receive bivalent mRNA vaccination but received ≥2 doses of any monovalent mRNA vaccine, the relative vaccine effectiveness (rVE) against hospitalization for COVID-19 was 70.3% (95% confidence interval, 64.0%–75.4%). rVE was consistent across subgroups and not modified by time since last monovalent dose or number of monovalent doses received. Protection was durable ≥3 months after the bivalent booster. rVE against SARS-CoV-2 infection requiring emergency department/urgent care and against COVID-19 hospital death was 55.0% (50.8%–58.8%) and 82.7% (63.7%–91.7%), respectively. The mRNA-1273 bivalent booster provides additional protection against hospitalization for COVID-19, medically attended SARS-CoV-2 infection, and COVID-19 hospital death.