Latest Vaccines and Antiviral Treatments Show Promising Results in Reducing Severe COVID Outcomes

Those who had COVID-19 and received the latest vaccine can have a reduced risk of severe outcomes, according to recent research from the Cleveland Clinic, published in Lancet Infectious Diseases.

In addition, the study found the updated Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech and Novavax COVID-19 vaccines, when combined with antiviral treatments like nirmatrelvir and molnupiravir, can significantly decrease the chances of hospitalization and death from current COVID-19 variants.

The FDA approved Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech and Novavax COVID-19 vaccines around fall of 2023 with the XBB.1.5 variant for enhanced protection against severe outcomes, without specific clinical evidence.

As for ritonavir-boosted nirmatrelvir over molnupiravir, the National Institutes of Health Guidelines suggest this method for high-risk outpatient COVID-19 treatment.

In the study, researchers examined the effectiveness of the three XBB.1.5 vaccines and the two oral antiviral drugs, as well as their combined impact, in preventing hospital admission and death from current COVID variants.

The study included more than 27,000 patients 12 years and older who tested positive for COVID-19 between September and December 2023.

Researchers found that the updated vaccines and antiviral drugs reduced the risk of severe COVID-19 by 31% and 42%, particularly in older individuals and those who are immunocompromised.

The study also observed consistent efficacy across various COVID subvariants.

Using a Cox proportional hazards model, the XBB.1.5 vaccination and antiviral treatment showed hazard ratios (HR) of 0.69 and 0.58. Nirmatrelvir and molnupiravir separately had HRs of 0.61 and 0.50.

XBB.1.5 vaccination had a decreased HR to 0.47 in those receiving treatment and 0.59 in untreated individuals.

For the endpoint of COVID infection to death, HRs were 0.59 for XBB.1.5 vaccination and 0.13 for antiviral treatment.

This study demonstrated that both XBB.1.5 vaccines and antiviral drugs reduced the risk of serious consequences of infection with COVID omicron subvariants.

Authors suggest XBB.1.5 vaccines should be considered by all, especially those who are 65 years or older or are immunocompromised.

Additionally, molnupiravir or nirmatrelvir can be prescribed to patients with COVID who are at high risk of progressing to severe disease, regardless of their XBB.1.5 vaccination status.

This study was limited by confounding bias, but researchers adjusted for important factors such as age and other health conditions.

While the study included many participants from different U.S. states, authors suggest to examine data from other health systems and countries, as well.