Top 5 Takeaways

1. Lower Non-COVID-19 Mortality: COVID-19 vaccine recipients had lower rates of non–COVID-19 mortality compared to unvaccinated persons.
2. Adjusted Relative Risk: The adjusted relative risk (aRR) of non–COVID-19 mortality was significantly lower for recipients of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Janssen vaccines.
3. Demographic Adjustments: The study adjusted for age, sex, race and ethnicity, and study site, ensuring robust findings.
4. Healthy Vaccinee Effect: Lower mortality risk among vaccinated individuals suggests a healthy vaccinee effect, indicating that vaccinated persons tend to be healthier.
5. Public Health Implication: The findings reinforce the safety profile of COVID-19 vaccines, supporting vaccination for all persons aged ≥12 years.

Original Article Author and Citation

Corresponding Author

Stanley Xu, Stan.Xu@kp.org

Suggested Citation

Xu S, Huang R, Sy LS, et al. COVID-19 Vaccination and Non–COVID-19 Mortality Risk — Seven Integrated Health Care Organizations, United States, December 14, 2020–July 31, 2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021;70:1520–1524. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7043e2

Summary

This study evaluated non–COVID-19 mortality among COVID-19 vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals from December 2020 to July 2021. Using data from approximately 11 million persons enrolled in seven Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) sites, the study found that COVID-19 vaccine recipients had lower non–COVID-19 mortality rates compared to unvaccinated persons. Adjustments were made for age, sex, race and ethnicity, and study site. The findings support the safety of COVID-19 vaccines and suggest that vaccinated individuals tend to be healthier.

Methods

The cohort study included 6.4 million vaccinated and 4.6 million unvaccinated individuals aged ≥12 years. Vaccination status was determined through May 31, 2021. Standardized mortality rates (SMRs) were calculated and compared using a rate ratio test. Poisson models were used to calculate adjusted relative risks (aRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusting for demographic characteristics and VSD site. Deaths were identified through VSD, focusing on non–COVID-19 deaths.

Discussion

The study found that COVID-19 vaccine recipients had lower non–COVID-19 mortality rates than unvaccinated individuals, reinforcing the safety profile of the vaccines. The lower mortality risk suggests a healthy vaccinee effect, where vaccinated individuals are inherently healthier. The findings were consistent across different age, sex, and racial/ethnic subgroups. Limitations include the observational nature of the study and potential confounders not adjusted for, such as baseline health status and socioeconomic factors.

Conclusion

The study concludes that there is no increased risk for mortality among COVID-19 vaccine recipients, supporting the safety of the vaccines. The findings encourage vaccination for all persons aged ≥12 years to protect against COVID-19 and reduce overall mortality risk.

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