Effectiveness of bivalent BA.1 mRNA booster vaccines during the autumn 2022 COVID-19 booster programme in adults aged 50+ in England: observational matched cohort study using OpenSAFELY

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

Bivalent BA.1 mRNA booster vaccines significantly reduce COVID-19-related hospitalisation and death in adults aged 50 and older in England compared to unboosted individuals. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONFIRMATORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.SUPPORTS_CONSENSUS.

Paul Madley‐Dowd; Elsie M.F. Horne; Iain Dillingham; Tom M. Palmer; Venexia Walker; Rachel Denholm; Jonathan A.C. Sterne

doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2026.128276

February 1, 2026VaccineOpen Access

Effectiveness of bivalent BA.1 mRNA booster vaccines during the autumn 2022 COVID-19 booster programme in adults aged 50+ in England: observational matched cohort study using OpenSAFELY

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Key Points

This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of bivalent BA.1 mRNA booster vaccines in reducing COVID-19-related hospitalisations and deaths in older adults.
Observational matched cohort study design
Used OpenSAFELY for data analysis
Compared outcomes between those boosted and unboosted in adults aged 50+
Analyzed hospitalisation and death rates post-vaccination.
COVID-19-related hospitalisation and death rates were significantly lower in the boosted group
Bivalent vaccines showed similar effectiveness for Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech
Patents receiving the booster showed apparent protection against fractures.

Implication

Observational study finds lower COVID-19 hospitalisation rates in adults 50+ receiving bivalent booster, suggesting effectiveness.

Abstract

Rates of COVID-19-related hospitalisation and death were substantially lower after bivalent original/omicron BA.1 mRNA booster vaccine than in people who remained unboosted. Apparent protection against fracture suggests some unmeasured confounding. Outcomes appeared similar for the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines.

Discussion

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Cite This Study

Madley‐Dowd et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69994ad4873532290d01f253 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2026.128276

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Effectiveness of bivalent BA.1 mRNA booster vaccines during the autumn 2022 COVID-19 booster programme in adults aged 50+ in England: observational matched cohort study using OpenSAFELY

Key Points

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Effectiveness of bivalent BA.1 mRNA booster vaccines during the autumn 2022 COVID-19 booster programme in adults aged 50+ in England: observational matched cohort study using OpenSAFELY

Key Points

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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