Bivalent Boosters Increase Protection Against Severe COVID-19

Compared to adults who are unvaccinated or have only received the original mRNA primary series and boosters, adults who received an updated mRNA bivalent booster gained additional protection against COVID-19-associated emergency department/urgent care visits and hospitalizations, based upon a recent analysis from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) VISION VE project.

The findings appear in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR): Early Estimates of Bivalent mRNA Vaccine Effectiveness in Preventing COVID-19–Associated Emergency Department or Urgent Care Encounters and Hospitalizations Among Immunocompetent Adults — VISION Network, Nine States, September–November 2022. These early data suggest that anyone eligible for a bivalent booster should consider receiving their bivalent booster dose.

Westat authors include: Zachary A. Weber, PhD; Sarah E. Reese, PhD; Kristin E. Schrader, MA; Elizabeth A. K. Rowley, DrPH; Margaret M. Dunne, MSc; Yan Zhuang, PhD; Duck-Hye Yang, PhD; and Sarah W. Ball, ScD.