PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Elizabeth Schainbaum
elizabeth.a.schainbaum@kp.org
510-406-1828
Terry Kanakri
terry.kanakri@kp.org
626-405-2652
PASADENA, Calif. — Research published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine and then supplemented with additional analysis shows that a booster dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine provides strong protection, roughly 80% in the first few months against hospital admissions and emergency department visits caused by the delta and omicron variants. However, against omicron, this protection wanes over time for immunocompromised individuals — even after a third dose.
“Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 booster doses significantly improve protection against omicron, although while that protection stays high for immunocompetent patients, it seems to wane for immunocompromised patients after 3 months against emergency room visits, and even for hospitalization,” said the study’s lead author, Sara Y. Tartof, PhD, an epidemiologist with the Kaiser Permanente Southern California Department of Research & Evaluation and a faculty member of the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, both in Pasadena.
For this study, the researchers analyzed 11,123 hospital admissions and emergency department visits that did not result in hospital admission for acute respiratory infection. The study focused on Kaiser Permanente patient records in Southern California from December 1, 2021, through March 18, 2022, when both the delta and omicron variants were circulating.
“Although the Pfizer COVID-19 protection levels against omicron after 3 doses are substantially higher than those seen after 2 doses, they are less than those observed for delta or other COVID-19 strains,” Tartof said. Further, immunocompromised persons appear at greatest risk of waning immunity, for whom “additional doses of current, adapted, or novel COVID-19 vaccines are needed to maintain high levels of protection against subsequent waves of COVID-19 caused by omicron or future variants with similar potential to escape protection.”
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.6 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations clinical research, health education, and the support of community health.
Cases of flu, COVID-19, and RSV continue to spread in our communities. …
Cervical cancer is highly preventable. Learn how HPV vaccination and regular …
Flu season often continues into early spring. Here are 5 reasons you should …
Six steps help you prep for winter trips.
Nearsightedness, also known as myopia, is on the rise. To reverse that …
Getting vaccinated is a safe and effective way to avoid getting sick.
The updated vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months and older.
Stories in the Department of Research & Evaluation 2022 Annual Report demonstr …
A new location-based vaccine strategy by Kaiser Permanente was successful …
Michael West shares his incredible journey from diagnosis to treatment …
Kaiser Permanente researchers led analysis of large, diverse group of young …
Vaccinations, testing, and treatment are still widely accessible. Member …
Testing is the most important way you can help control the spread of COVID-19.
With the COVID-19 public health emergency ending, states, community organizati …
Kaiser Permanente offers many high-quality, convenient options to help …
Learning from this historic health crisis will better prepare us for future …
A Kaiser Permanente study finds COVID-19 patients treated quickly with …
From avid snowboarder to chronically ill patient. How Kaiser Permanente …
Hawaii community vaccination team’s pop-up events with COVID-19 and flu shots.
Almost 16 million people in the United States have chronic obstructive …
School-based flu vaccination clinics made it safe and convenient for students …
Proactive flu prevention outreach in Downey, California.
Two leading infectious disease physicians discuss what to expect with COVID-19 …
Kaiser Permanente study shows that exercise is associated with lower rates …
Con tanto que se habla de una “tridemia” de enfermedades respiratorias, …
Volunteers offered preventive care, first aid, cooling stations, and complimen …
Special event helps Latino community ensure their flu vaccinations and …
As colder weather and rain arrive in Oregon, Katie Sharff, MD, an infectious …
Black people, Latinos, and people over 65 years of age are especially vulnerab …
New care option offers pregnant patients a mix of in-person and video visits.
We reflect on 3 major COVID-19 surges, urgent vaccination efforts, and …
A Kaiser Permanente study of more than 250,000 people shows that patients …
How to give your baby the health benefits of breast milk during a pandemic.
Kaiser Permanente study finds vaccinated surgical patients had no elevated …
Providing safe and effective vaccinations to children is an important step …
California produces nearly half of the nation's fruits and vegetables, …
We donated over $28 million worth of face masks, hand sanitizer, and other …
Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, a Kaiser Permanente pediatrician …
Kaiser Permanente study assessed Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness …
As unhealthy eating behaviors increased during the pandemic, care teams …
Kaiser Permanente grants are supporting businesses such as the Carefree …
High drug prices are a key reason health care is unaffordable for millions …
Grants expand support for faith-based organizations working to protect …
After serving on the White House COVID-19 response team, Bechara Choucair, …
Kaiser Permanente convened a panel to discuss vaccinations and our return …
Here are some tips to keep you and your little superheroes safe.
An Oregon team of scientists is broadening our knowledge of COVID-19 vaccine …
Kaiser Permanente and other leading companies are mandating COVID-19 shots …
A statement from Kaiser Permanente chair and chief executive officer Greg …
A statement from Kaiser Permanente chair and chief executive officer Greg …
Kaiser Permanente’s partnership with Local Initiatives Support Corporation, …
For people without a safe place to call home, good health is often out …
Commitment to high-quality, affordable, compassionate care remains in a …
Video visits and virtual collaboration speed cancer care transformation …
Kaiser Permanente study finds that the decrease reported during the onset …
Kaiser Permanente research underscores the importance of culturally appropriat …
The final in a series capturing the reflections of Kaiser Permanente employees …
A multipart series capturing the reflections of Kaiser Permanente employees …
As vaccines bring hope to end the pandemic, Kaiser Permanente’s toolkit …
A statement from CEO Greg A. Adams about the American Rescue Plan Act.
Available 24/7 with no appointment, e-visits offer Kaiser Permanente members …
A diabetes specialist talks about new trends in providing care, and innovation …
Health care system provides model for screening patients for access to …
With expanded telehealth options, Kaiser Permanente members get convenient …
Skilled care and thorough infection-prevention protocols kept Eleanor Gorman …
Kaiser Permanente scientists and clinicians are running clinical trials …
Kaiser Permanente pledges more than $28 million in grants, many to address …
Newsweek’s Best Maternity Care Hospitals 2020 report recognizes Kaiser …
Kaiser Permanente is part of a phase 1 trial testing a vaccine designed …
Kaiser Permanente’s fully integrated telehealth capabilities place quality …
Helping people strengthen connections, maintain healthy routines, and find …
New Kaiser Permanente research backs anecdotal reports that people are …
Kaiser Permanente nurses have been saving lives on the front lines since …