New Study Concludes Protection Against Death for Vaccinated At-Risk Seniors

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted a study to assess the risk of death caused by COVID-19 for those who are at most risk including seniors ages 65 and over with immunosuppression or comorbidities. McKnight’s reports the study concluded that risk of death is very rare among these groups if they are vaccinated against COVID-19.

The study collected data from 465 healthcare facilities and analyzed severe outcomes related to COVID-19 infections including intensive care unit admission, respiratory failure and death. It was discovered that more than 1.2 million adults who were fully vaccinated between December 2020 and October 2021 were very unlikely to exhibit severe outcomes. About 189 patients experienced serious medical conditions of whom 35 died.

Adults who experienced severe outcomes also had at least one top risk factor. Risk factors were classified as being the age of 65 or older, having immunosuppression or other underlying conditions including diabetes and chronic kidney, pulmonary, cardiac, liver and neurologic disease.

The study did not fully assess the outcomes related to the omicron variant due to the timing of the data collection and analysis. However, the omicron variant is known to cause less severe disease than delta.

The researchers of the study reported about 70% of adults as fully vaccinated across the country.