J Korean Med Sci.
2024 Jan;39(3):e15. 10.3346/jkms.2024.39.e15.
Effectiveness of Bivalent mRNA Booster Vaccine Against COVID-19 in Korea
- Yoon JG
1,2 - Sohn JW3
- Choi WS4
- Wie SH5
- Lee J6
- Lee JS7
- Jeong HW8
- Eom JS9
- Seong H1,2
- Nham E1,2
- Choi YJ1,2
- Noh JY1,2
- Song JY1,2
- Cheong HJ1,2
- Kim WJ1,2
- Affiliations
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- 1Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- 2Vaccine Innovation Center-KU Medicine (VIC-K), Seoul, Korea
- 3Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Anam Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- 4Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Ansan, Korea
- 5Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, St. Vincent’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Suwon, Korea
- 6Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- 7Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
- 8Department of Internal Medicine, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju, Korea
- 9Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
- KMID: 2551175
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2024.39.e15
Abstract
- 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.
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