Risk reduction of severe outcomes in vaccinated COVID-19 cases: an analysis of surveillance data from Estonia, Ireland, Luxembourg and Slovakia, January to November 2021

Despite high COVID-19 vaccine coverage in the EU/EEA, there are increasing reports of SARS-CoV-2 infections and hospitalisations in vaccinated individuals. Using surveillance data from Estonia, Ireland, Luxembourg and Slovakia (January-November 2021), we estimated risk reduction of severe outcomes in vaccinated cases. Increasing age remains the most important driver of severity, and vaccination significantly reduces risk in all ages for hospitalisation (adjusted relative risk (aRR): 0.32; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.26-0.39) and death (aRR: 0.20; 95% CI: 0.13-0.29).

Automated summary

Despite high vaccine coverage in the EU/EEA, reports of SARS-CoV-2 infections and hospitalizations in vaccinated individuals are increasing. Using surveillance data from several countries, it was found that increasing age is still the most important factor for severity, but vaccination significantly reduces the risk of hospitalization and death for all age groups.