Vaccination linked to a reduction of more than a quarter million COVID-19 cases among seniors

Photo: Kathrin Ziegler/Getty Images

COVID-19 vaccinations may have helped prevent hundreds of thousands of new COVID-19 infections and tens of thousands of deaths among seniors, finds a new report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The study, which was conducted by researchers with HHS's Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, found that vaccinations were linked to a reduction of about 265,000 COVID-19 infections, 107,000 hospitalizations and 39,000 deaths among Medicare beneficiaries between January and May 2021.

The findings are being used to underscore the importance of vaccines in fighting against the still-ongoing pandemic, and to combat lingering vaccine hesitancy among certain populations.

WHAT'S THE IMPACT?

The findings underscore the effect the coronavirus has had on seniors and the elderly population. More than 352,000 lives were lost during the first nine months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to the availability of vaccines, nearly 80% of these deaths were among people 65 and older who were also Medicare eligible. 

From January to May 2021, when vaccination grew from 1% to 47% among adults 18 to 64, and from 1% to 80% among seniors, the study found an 11-12% decrease in weekly COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths among Medicare beneficiaries for every 10% increase in county vaccination rates.

All racial and ethnic groups, and all 48 states analyzed, experienced reduced numbers of COVID-19 deaths, hospitalizations and infections, linked to vaccination rate increases. Texas and Hawaii were excluded from the analysis due to data reporting limitations. 

Native American and Alaska Native Medicare beneficiaries saw the largest vaccination-related percentage decrease in SARS-CoV-2 infections, hospitalizations and deaths. The study also found that vaccines were linked to a reduction of about 5,600 deaths among nursing home Medicare beneficiaries, a group that was disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.

The study found that high vaccination rates for all adults were even more protective for Medicare beneficiaries than just a high elderly vaccination rate on its own.

THE LARGER TREND

Recently, Secretary Becerra issued a directive, effective September 25, authorizing all CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Program providers to make available and administer Pfizer-BioNTech booster doses to all people who are eligible. This includes seniors over age 65. The science has demonstrated this authorized booster can provide added protection to seniors. 

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services also issued a reminder to Medicare beneficiaries that all COVID-19 vaccines, including the authorized booster, will be covered without cost-sharing.

Vaccine hesitancy is still an issue. Swermo's COVID-19 Real Time Barometer showed in May that more than 72% of physicians saying patients continue to voice concerns over vaccine side effects. Still others have reported ongoing misinformation discouraging people from getting vaccines. And close to 30% of physicians reported encountering patients who have skipped their second dose due to unpleasant side effects from the first dose, or because of concerns over side effects.

Twitter: @JELagasse
Email the writer: jeff.lagasse@himssmedia.com