Comparative admission rates and infection severity of COVID-19 among unvaccinated and vaccinated patients.

Vaccination efforts have limited the burden of the pandemic caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with substantial evidence showing reduced hospitalization rates among vaccinated populations. However, few studies have explored correlations between vaccination status and inpatient COVID-19 outcomes. This observational case-control study involved a retrospective chart review of adult patients hospitalized for COVID-19 infection at a medium-sized hospital in Central Michigan between May 1, 2021 and September 30, 2021. Unadjusted analyses involved t-tests and chi-square tests followed by adjusted analyses using binary logistic and linear regression models. Of the 192 screened patients, 171 subjects met the inclusion criteria. Vaccinated patients were significantly older (71.09 vs 57.45, p < 0.001), more likely to identify as white (89.4% vs 66.9%, p = 0.026), and had a lower baseline 10-year survival rate predicted by the Charlson Comorbidity Index (42% vs 69%, p < 0.001) compared to unvaccinated patients. Common symptoms between both groups included shortness of breath (50%), malaise (23%-37%), cough (28%-32%), and fever or chills (25%). Upon matching, adjusted analysis showed significantly higher rates of remdesivir administration to unvaccinated patients (41.3% vs 13.3%, odds ratio (OR): 4.63, 90% confidence interval (CI): 1.98-11.31). Despite higher intensive care unit admission rates among unvaccinated patients (39.1% vs 23.9%, OR: 1.83, 90% CI: 0.74-4.64), this difference did not reach statistical significance. Accordingly, immunization status strongly correlates with patient demographics and differences in inpatient treatment. Larger studies are needed to further assess the vaccine's impact on inpatient outcomes outside of our community.

Revelations from the Clinic: Protective Behaviors and Perceptions among People at High Risk for Severe Illness from COVID-19.

OBJECTIVES: The CDC has warned of increased risk for severe COVID-19 illness among those with certain preexisting conditions. Protective behaviors such as social distancing and mask-wearing have been shown effective at curbing infection rates. These practices are subject to individual perceptions of risk and responsibility. This study aimed to characterize the risk perceptions and protective behaviors of residents in a rural central Michigan region. Specifically, we examined whether individual risk status predicted protective behaviors and concern about the pandemic. METHODS: Participants were identified via medical records at participating clinics. The high-risk group was those with conditions that put them at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and was compared to healthy controls. Data were collected via phone survey. Participants were asked about their protective behaviors and level of concern about the ongoing pandemic. RESULTS: A total of 150 patients participated in the survey; 73 were high-risk acknowledgers, 29 were high-risk deniers, and 48 were healthy controls. There was no significant difference between the groups on level of concern regarding the pandemic or protective behaviors (P > .05). Compared to other comorbidities, obese people were significantly more likely to deny their risk (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, high risk, whether acknowledged or denied, did not appear to significantly impact behaviors or concern. The high percentage of those at high risk who did not acknowledge this suggests many factors including a potential lack of patient education regarding their comorbidities, specifically, how their illness increases their risk of severe illness from COVID-19.