Clinical characteristics and outcome of hospitalized elderly patients with COVID-19 after vaccine failure

We described clinical characteristics and outcome of 160 patients over 65 years (01 September to 31 August 2021) who had a first positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR- test more than 14 days after full vaccination and were hospitalized with COVID-19. Median age of included patients was 84 years, 61.2% were over 80 years; 50.6% were male and most (82.5%) has at least one comorbidity. Up to 84% received specific treatment against COVID-19, including 76.9% low-flow oxygen therapy. We found that overall mortality was 25.6% and 30.6% in those older than 80 years. A higher mortality was significantly associated with older age and treatment with tocilizumab. Our data showed that although COVID-19 vaccines continue protecting elderly patients against hospitalization and death and might improve the prognosis after hospitalization in patients with breakthrough infections, mortality in this population -especially in those older than 80 years- remains very high. (C) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study described the clinical characteristics and outcome of 160 patients over 65 years old who were hospitalized with COVID-19 after receiving full vaccination. The results showed that COVID-19 vaccines continue to protect elderly patients against hospitalization and death, and may improve the prognosis of hospitalized patients with breakthrough infections. However, the mortality rate in this population, especially in those older than 80 years, remains very high.