Impact of scaling up SARS-CoV-2 vaccination on COVID-19 hospitalizations in Spain

Background: The advent of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines has been associated with a significant decline in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hospitalizations and deaths. However, little is known about the benefits experienced by different population groups an...

Descripción completa

Guardado en:
Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Ignacio Barandalla, Carmen Alvarez, Pablo Barreiro, Carmen de Mendoza, Rubén González-Crespo, Vicente Soriano
Formato: article
Lenguaje:EN
Publicado: Elsevier 2021
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://doaj.org/article/d2260ed96fe94073a6f58d39e72cc77c
Etiquetas: Agregar Etiqueta
Sin Etiquetas, Sea el primero en etiquetar este registro!
Descripción
Sumario:Background: The advent of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines has been associated with a significant decline in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hospitalizations and deaths. However, little is known about the benefits experienced by different population groups and/or using distinct vaccines. Methods: The Spanish public registry was analyzed to examine associations between weekly vaccination scale-up and the incidence of COVID-19 hospitalizations by age, sex, and vaccine modality. The study period extended from January 2020 to June 2021. Results: A total of 363 960 COVID-19 hospitalizations were recorded in Spain during the study period, with three peaks in March 2020, November 2020, and January 2021. The incidence of COVID-19 hospitalizations per 100 000 population increased exponentially with age, on average 71.5% for each decade older. Overall, individuals older than 60 years of age accounted for 65% of all COVID-19 hospitalizations. The speedy vaccination rollout since the end of 2020, with prioritization of the elderly groups, resulted in a rapid fall in COVID-19 hospitalizations starting in February 2021. The benefit was already noticed 3–4 weeks after the first dose, regardless of the vaccine modality. Conclusions: COVID-19 hospitalizations increased exponentially with age in all three peaks of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Spain. Early mass vaccination of people over 60 years of age prevented a fourth wave of COVID-19 hospitalizations during the spring of 2021.