Risk Factors for Severe COVID-19 Outcomes Among Adults Who Completed a Primary COVID-19 Vaccination

cdc.gov January 10, 2022

In this analysis of data from 465 U.S. health care facilities, severe COVID-19 outcomes (i.e., respiratory failure, ICU admission, or death) were rare among adults aged ≥18 years after primary vaccination.

These findings are consistent with studies that have shown that COVID-19 vaccination lowers the likelihood of COVID-19–associated hospitalization and death.

Risk for a severe COVID-19 outcome after primary vaccination was higher among persons aged ≥65 years, were immunosuppressed, or had one of six other underlying conditions; all persons with severe COVID-19 outcomes after primary vaccination had at least one risk factor.

This study provides insight into the frequency of and risk factors for severe outcomes among persons who acquired COVID-19 after primary vaccination during periods of pre-Delta and Delta variant predominance; findings might not be applicable to the risk from SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant or future variants.