Characteristics of Adults With Non‐Hospitalized Severe Respiratory Illness: Findings From a COVID‐19 Vaccine Effectiveness Evaluation in Kenya, 2022–2023

Studies suggest the burden of non‐hospitalized severe respiratory illness might be substantial in Kenya. Using data from a Kenya COVID‐19 vaccine effectiveness evaluation, we compared characteristics of patients aged ≥12 years who were hospitalized with severe respiratory illness to outpatients who were referred for hospitalization and declined (non‐hospitalized). Symptom presentation and lung radiograph findings were similar among both groups, and patients in both were diagnosed with critical conditions, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (12% hospitalized; 4% non‐hospitalized) and sepsis (10% both). Findings underscore the importance of including non‐hospitalized severe illness when estimating the burden of disease for respiratory viruses.