ASSESSMENT OF MORTALITY RISKS FROM COVID-19 IN HOSPITALISED VACCINATED PATIENTS AND PATIENTS AFTER A PREVIOUS ILLNESS DEPENDING ON AGE

Background. According to numerous studies, vaccination is an effective method in preventing hospitalisation and mortality from COVID-19. However, COVID-19-related deaths have also been reported among fully vaccinated individuals. Aim: to compare the risks of mortality from coronavirus disease 2019 in hospitalised vaccinated patients and patients who have not been vaccinated before after a previous illness of different sexes and different age groups. Materials and methods. the study included 220 hospitalised patients who were divided into two groups: vaccinated patients (n=129) and patients with a history of COVID-19 (n=91). All patients were divided into three groups by age: ≤39 years, 40-69 years, ≥70 years. All patients were admitted with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 by PCR or a rapid qualitative antigen test. Results. in the age group ≤39 years, no deaths from COVID-19 were recorded. When comparing the incidence of deaths among hospitalised patients after a previous illness (n=36) and vaccinated patients (n=58) in the age group 40-69 years, no statistically significant risk difference was found (p=0.742). The risks of mortality among hospitalised patients with a history of COVID-19 (n=46) and vaccinated patients (n=58) in the age group ≥70 years were statistically significantly different (p=0.011). At the same time, the risk in patients after a previous illness was 22.3% higher than in the vaccinated group (95%CI 6.5-37.7).