System Maintenance Notice

Please note that maintenance work is scheduled between 4 AM and 5 AM - CET. During this time, you may experience reduced performance. Thanks for your patience.

Publications

Journal Article Systematic Review Meta-Analysis Epublish 1 citation

PubMed: 39971395 DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0222-2024

Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe outcomes in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of European studies published up to 22 January 2024.

Eur Respir Rev 34(175)

Authors: Guiling Zhou, Nina Dael, Stefan Verweij, Spyros Balafas, Sumaira Mubarik, Katrien Oude Rengerink, Anna Maria Gerdina Pasmooij, Debbie van Baarle, Peter G M Mol, Geertruida H de Bock, Eelko Hak

Affiliations

  • Unit of Pharmaco-Therapy, -Epidemiology and -Economics (PTEE), Department of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
  • These authors contributed equally to this work.
  • Unit of Pharmaco-Therapy, -Epidemiology and -Economics (PTEE), Department of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. These authors contributed equally to this work.
  • Unit of Pharmaco-Therapy, -Epidemiology and -Economics (PTEE), Department of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
  • Dutch Medicines Evaluation Board, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
  • Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
  • Virology and Immunology Research Group, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
  • Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
  • Department of Epidemiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Up-to-date evidence from European studies on long-term vaccine effectiveness (VE) of COVID-19 vaccines is lacking. This review aimed to evaluate effectiveness and durability of primary vaccine series and boosters in preventing infection and severe outcomes in the European population.

METHODS

We conducted systematic searches of PubMed and Embase up to 22 January 2024. We included observational studies that evaluated VE against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection or severe disease (hospitalisation, intensive care unit admission or death) for primary series and boosters in Europe. We applied a random-effects meta-analysis model.

RESULTS

We included 33 studies and over 56 million participants. The overall VE of the complete primary series against infection with any SARS-CoV-2 variant was 70.7%. VE was lower for Omicron, at 26.1%, than for pre-Omicron strains, at 77.0%. Over time, VE against infection by any variant decreased from 68.9% to 38.9% after 6 months. Boosters restored VE to 76.4% and maintained at 58.4% after 3 months. The overall VE of a complete primary series for severe outcomes due to any variant was 87.4%, with 93.3% for pre-Omicron and 62.8% for Omicron strains. Protection against severe outcomes declined less than for infection. 6 months after the primary series, the vaccine still provided over 50% protection against severe outcomes caused by Omicron. Boosters restored VE to 87.9% and maintained at 78.5% after 3 months.

CONCLUSION

VE against SARS-CoV-2 infection declines markedly with time and Omicron variants. Protection against severe outcomes was more durable and resistant to viral mutation. Boosters restored protection, emphasising the need for timely booster vaccination for vulnerable populations.

MeSH

Sars-Cov-2, Vaccines, Covid-19 Vaccines, Respiratory Tract Diseases, Covid-19, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Related Coronavirus, Infections

Cited by