COVID-19 vaccines provide better protection against related pneumonia than previous symptomatic infection. (July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Murillo-Zamora, Efrén; Trujillo, Xóchitl; Huerta, Miguel; Ríos-Silva, Mónica; Guzmán-Esquivel, José; Benites-Godínez, Verónica; Ochoa-Castro, María Regina; Guzmán-Solórzano, José Alejandro; Mendoza-Cano, Oliver
• Is Part Of: International journal of infectious diseases. Volume 120(2022)
• Page Start: 142
• Page End: 145
• Publication Date: 2022-07
• Subjects: COVID-19 Vaccines -- COVID-19 -- SARS-CoV-2 -- Pneumonia; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2022.04.047
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1201-9712

Abstract

Highlights: COVID-19 vaccines effects and previous symptomatic pneumonia illness were analyzed. Data from 46, 998 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 were analyzed. Vaccinated participants had a decreased risk of COVID-19-related pneumonia. The association of previous illness was not significant. Despite having previous symptomatic infection, it is relevant to offer vaccination. Abstract: Objectives: To compare, in a real-world scenario, the protective effect of vaccination and previous laboratory-confirmed symptomatic infection on the risk of COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted and 46, 998 adults with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 were enrolled. Risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to evaluate the effect of the evaluated exposures on the risk of pneumonia. Results: In multiple analysis and after adjusting by reinfection status, vaccinated participants were at reduced risk of developing pneumonia (RR = 0.974, 95% CI 0.965–0.983). The association of having had a previous infection was not significant (RR = 1.001, 95% CI 0.969–1.034). Conclusion: Our results suggest, and if later replicated, that COVID-19 vaccines provide better protection against pneumonia than previous symptomatic infections. Therefore, offering vaccination to all eligible subjects despite past COVID-19 infections might be relevant to reducing the pandemic-related burden.