mRNA-1283 and BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccines show protective effectiveness in adults aged 65 and older
Photo by Faustina Okeke / Unsplash
Key Takeaway
Consider that observational data show mRNA-1283 may have higher effectiveness than BNT162b2 for COVID-19 outcomes in adults aged >=65 years.
This observational cohort study used linked electronic health record and administrative claims data through Jan 31, 2026, to evaluate two 2025/2026 COVID-19 vaccines in U.S. adults aged >=65 years. The population included 233,072 mRNA-1283 recipients and 422,610 BNT162b2 recipients, with unvaccinated individuals matched as comparators.
For COVID-19 related hospitalization, the adjusted vaccine effectiveness (aVE) for mRNA-1283 was 59.3% among adults >=65 years (95% CI: 39.0% to 72.9%) and 66.9% among adults >=75 years (95% CI: 45.9% to 79.8%). For BNT162b2, aVE was 48.3% among adults >=65 years (95% CI: 32.4% to 60.5%) and 45.9% among adults >=75 years (95% CI: 26.0% to 60.4%).
For medically-attended COVID-19, aVE for mRNA-1283 was 42.0% among adults >=65 years (95% CI: 35.0% to 48.3%) and 50.2% among adults >=75 years (95% CI: 42.1% to 57.2%). For BNT162b2, aVE was 41.2% among adults >=65 years (95% CI: 36.2% to 45.8%) and 44.0% among adults >=75 years (95% CI: 37.8% to 49.6%). Safety data were not reported.
Key limitations include the observational design, which cannot prove causation, and the lack of reported follow-up duration. Findings support mRNA-1283 as a public health tool for reducing COVID-19 burden in older adults, but results should be interpreted with caution due to the study's design.
More on COVID
Review of RISE-mitigation strategies in Ghana shows high immunization coverage and improved oxygen access
Ghana reduced oxygen travel distances and improved vaccine coverage with new pandemic strategies
This review uses mixed qualitative and quantitative approaches to evaluate RISE-mitigation strategies in Ghana. The analysis covers 10 novel…
New strategies in Ghana helped get oxygen closer to patients and reached 93% of people with vaccines while treating most confirmed cases.
Narrative review on COVID-19 and gut microbiome disruption and immune effects
Microbiome disruption may link SARS-CoV-2 to long-term health issues
This narrative review synthesizes evidence on COVID-19 and the intestinal microbiome. It finds SARS-CoV-2 infection can induce dysbiosis and…
A review suggests the virus may alter gut bacteria, immune signals, and brain health, highlighting a need for One Health pandemic preparedne…
Speleotherapy improves asthma control and breathing patterns in patients with respiratory conditions
Speleotherapy improves breathing patterns and symptoms for asthma, COPD, and Long COVID patients
A randomized trial of 208 patients across Germany, Austria, and Italy found that a three-week speleotherapy course enhanced asthma control a…
A three-week course in mineral-rich caves helped people with asthma, COPD, or Long COVID breathe easier and feel better, though lung functio…
Systematic review and meta-analysis links COVID-19 infection to 41% higher new-onset diabetes risk
Meta-analysis links COVID-19 infection to higher new-onset diabetes risk
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated sixteen studies comparing COVID-19 survivors with non-infected individuals. The pooled an…
A meta-analysis of sixteen studies suggests COVID-19 infection is associated with a 41% increased risk of developing new-onset diabetes at l…
View Original Abstract ↓
Background: The 2025/2026 COVID-19 vaccine season introduced updated formulations targeting the LP.8.1 lineage. This study assessed the absolute vaccine effectiveness (aVE) of mRNA-1283 and BNT162b2 on COVID-19 outcomes in adults aged [≥]65 years. Methods: Background: The 2025/2026 COVID-19 vaccine season introduced updated formulations targeting the LP.8.1 lineage. This study assessed the absolute vaccine effectiveness (aVE) of mRNA-1283 and BNT162b2 on COVID-19 outcomes in adults aged [≥]65 years. Methods: This retrospective study used linked electronic health record and administrative claims data through Jan 31, 2026. Adults [≥]65 years who received the mRNA-1283 or BNT162b2 2025/2026 COVID-19 vaccine were matched to unvaccinated individuals. Inverse probability of treatment weighting was applied to matched cohorts of each vaccine to balance covariates. Each vaccine was evaluated independently against its own unvaccinated comparator group. aVE against COVID-19 related hospitalization and medically-attended COVID-19 was estimated using Cox proportional hazards models; aVE = 100 x (1 - hazard ratio [HR]). Results: We identified 233,072 mRNA-1283 recipients and 422,610 BNT162b2 recipients [≥]65 years. The aVE (95% confidence interval) of mRNA-1283 against COVID-19 related hospitalization and medically-attended COVID-19 was 59.3% (39.0%, 72.9%) and 42.0% (35.0%, 48.3%) among adults [≥]65 years and 66.9% (45.9%, 79.8%) and 50.2% (42.1%, 57.2%) in [≥]75 years, respectively. The aVE of BNT162b2 against COVID-19 related hospitalization and medically-attended COVID-19 was 48.3% (32.4%, 60.5%) and 41.2% (36.2%, 45.8%) in [≥]65 years and 45.9% (26.0%, 60.4%) and 44.0% (37.8%, 49.6%) in [≥]75 years, respectively. Conclusions: This is the first real-world evidence showing that mRNA-1283 prevents COVID-19-related hospitalizations and medically attended events in vulnerable older adults at highest risk of severe disease. These findings support mRNA-1283 as an important public health tool for reducing the ongoing burden of COVID-19.Results: We identified 233,072 mRNA-1283 recipients and 422,610 BNT162b2 recipients [≥]65 years. The aVE (95% confidence interval) of mRNA-1283 against COVID-19 related hospitalization and medically-attended COVID-19 was 59.3% (39.0%, 72.9%) and 42.0% (35.0%, 48.3%) among adults [≥]65 years and 66.9% (45.9 %, 79.8%) and 50.2% (42.1%, 57.2%) in [≥]75 years, respectively. The aVE of BNT162b2 against COVID-19 related hospitalization and medically-attended COVID-19 was 48.3% (32.4%, 60.5%) and 41.2% (36.2%, 45.8%) in [≥]65 years and 45.9% (26.0%, 60.4%) and 44.0% (37.8%, 49.6%) in [≥]75 years, respectively. Conclusions: This is the first real-world evidence showing that mRNA-1283 prevents COVID-19-related hospitalizations and medically attended events in vulnerable older adults at highest risk of severe disease. These findings support mRNA-1283 as an important public health tool for reducing the ongoing burden of COVID-19.
Intrawound tobramycin plus vancomycin did not reduce deep infection risk compared with vancomycin alone in high-risk tibial fractures
Adding Antibiotics to Bone Surgery Didn't Lower Infection Risk
Related in Infectious Disease
MESNA-assisted surgery disrupts disease-associated microbiota equilibrium in paediatric cholesteatomatous chronic otitis media
Early data suggest MESNA may help restore ear bacteria in children with chronic ear infections
This observational review characterizes the microbiota of paediatric patients with cholesteatomatous chronic otitis media (CCOM) and evaluat…
A small review links MESNA-assisted surgery to changes in ear bacteria, offering hope for preventing infection return in children.
Review of integrated strategies for managing tobacco black shank in soilborne disease environments
Soil imbalance fuels tobacco black shank beyond simple infection
This narrative review examines integrated strategies for managing tobacco black shank in soilborne disease environments. The authors synthes…
A review shows tobacco black shank thrives not just from infection but from a sick soil ecosystem that kills good microbes and lets bad ones…
Narrative review links gut microbial metabolites to colorectal cancer mechanisms
Gut microbes may help stop colorectal cancer growth through metabolites
This narrative review examines the role of gut microbial metabolites in colorectal cancer. The authors synthesize evidence suggesting these …
A review suggests gut microbial metabolites can either suppress or promote colorectal cancer by affecting cell growth and inflammation.
Review of animal models for allergic fungal airway disease and asthma
Animal models reveal how fungi trigger severe asthma
This narrative review examines animal models for allergic fungal airway disease, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, and asthma. The au…
New review shows spore-based animal models better mimic human allergic fungal airway disease, pointing to new treatment targets.
From Other Specialties
Ultrasound may aid pediatric constipation diagnosis in various clinical settings
Ultrasound scans may help doctors diagnose constipation in children
This narrative review examines the role of transabdominal and perianal ultrasonography in pediatric gastroenterology clinics and institution…
Ultrasound scans could become a useful tool for doctors treating constipation in children, offering a new way to see inside without surgery.
Lifestyle strategies improve metabolic and hormonal outcomes in PCOS, review finds
Lifestyle strategies may help manage polycystic ovary syndrome symptoms in women
This narrative review in reproductive-aged women with PCOS finds that dietary approaches, structured physical activity, and adjunct strategi…
A review suggests dietary changes, exercise, and psychological support can improve metabolic and hormonal outcomes for women with polycystic…
Reduced-intensity ATRA plus arsenic with GO or low-dose anthracycline improves event-free survival in high-risk APL
New analysis shows reduced-intensity treatment works well for high-risk leukemia patients compared to standard intensive chemotherapy
This systematic review and meta-analysis of 1,323 patients with high-risk acute promyelocytic leukemia found that reduced-intensity inductio…
A large review of over 1,300 patients found that a gentler treatment plan worked just as well as harsher chemotherapy. This approach may hel…
Immunotherapies beyond rituximab show high response rates in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
New immunotherapy options offer high response rates for Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma patients
This narrative review surveys immunotherapy options for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma beyond rituximab, including bispecific antibodies, CAR…
New immunotherapy treatments show high response rates for Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma, offering hope beyond the standard 60% success rate …