RESUMO
BackgroundThere are some concerns about the effectiveness of the inactivated and vector-based vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 in the real-world settings with the emergence of new mutations, especially variants of concern. Data derived from administrative repositories during mass-vaccination campaigns or programs are of interest to study vaccine effectiveness (VE). MethodsUsing 4-repository administrative data linkage, we conducted a historical cohort study on a target population of 3,628,857 inhabitants aged at least 18 years residing in Southern Iran. ResultsWe estimated 71.9% [95% CI: 70.7-73.1%], 81.5% [95% CI: 79.5-83.4%], 67.5% [95% CI: 59.5-75.6%], and 86.4% [95% CI: 84.1-88.8%] hospitalization reduction for those who received the full vaccination schedule of BIBP-CorV, ChAdOx1-S/nCoV-19, rAd26-rAd5, and BIV1-CovIran vaccines, respectively. A high reduction in mortality - at least 85% - was observed in all age subgroups of fully immunized population. ConclusionThe pragmatic implementation of a vaccination plan including all available vaccine options in the Iranian population was associated with a significant reduction in documented COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and death associated with COVID-19. Key pointsThe mass vaccination program with implementing a group of vaccines, that even for some of them (rAd26-rAd5, and BIV1-CovIran vaccines) have been only regionally authorized for emergency use, has been associated with a dramatic reduction in documented COVID-19 infection, as well as in hospitalization and deaths related to the COVID-19 diagnosis.