Two-Dose Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Vaccine Effectiveness With Mixed Schedules and Extended Dosing Intervals: Test-Negative Design Studies From British Columbia and Quebec, Canada

Test-negative design studies conducted among adults in British Columbia and Quebec, Canada, show 2 doses of homologous or heterologous SARS-CoV-2 vaccines provide substantial and sustained protection against hospitalization, and reinforce the use of mixed schedules and longer intervals between doses. Background The Canadian coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) immunization strategy deferred second doses and allowed mixed schedules. We compared 2-dose vaccine effectiveness (VE) by vaccine type (mRNA and/or ChAdOx1), interval between doses, and time since second dose in 2 of Canada's larger provinces. Methods Two-dose VE against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection or hospitalization among adults >= 18 years, including due to Alpha, Gamma, and Delta variants of concern (VOCs), was assessed >= 14 days postvaccination by test-negative design studies separately conducted in British Columbia and Quebec, Canada, between 30 May and 27 November (epi-weeks 22-47) 2021. Results In both provinces, all homologous or heterologous mRNA and/or ChAdOx1 2-dose schedules were associated with >= 90% reduction in SARS-CoV-2 hospitalization risk for >= 7 months. With slight decline from a peak of >90%, VE against infection was >= 80% for >= 6 months following homologous mRNA vaccination, lower by similar to 10% when both doses were ChAdOx1 but comparably high following heterologous ChAdOx1 + mRNA receipt. Findings were similar by age group, sex, and VOC. VE was significantly higher with longer 7-8-week versus manufacturer-specified 3-4-week intervals between mRNA doses. Conclusions Two doses of any mRNA and/or ChAdOx1 combination gave substantial and sustained protection against SARS-CoV-2 hospitalization, spanning Delta-dominant circulation. ChAdOx1 VE against infection was improved by heterologous mRNA series completion. A 7-8-week interval between first and second doses improved mRNA VE and may be the optimal schedule outside periods of intense epidemic surge. Findings support interchangeability and extended intervals between SARS-CoV-2 vaccine doses, with potential global implications for low-coverage areas and, going forward, for children.

Automated summary

Test-negative design studies conducted in British Columbia and Quebec, Canada, among adults show that 2 doses of homologous or heterologous SARS-CoV-2 vaccines provide substantial and sustained protection against hospitalization, supporting the use of mixed schedules and longer intervals between doses.