A RECENT study reveals that COVID-19 booster shots significantly reduce the risk of developing venous thrombosis or embolism (VTE) following SARS-CoV-2 infection. The study focused on over 4,600 individuals in the U.S. Military Health System who tested positive for COVID-19 between 2020 and 2022, providing critical data on how vaccination impacts blood clot risks associated with COVID-19.
In the study, the researchers defined cases as individuals who developed VTE within 90 days of a positive COVID-19 test. They compared these cases with control patients who did not experience VTE post-infection. Using multivariate logistic regression, they assessed the role of prior COVID-19 vaccination, particularly full vaccination and booster doses, while controlling for other VTE risk factors.
The results underscore a substantial benefit for vaccinated patients: those who had completed their primary vaccine series had a 72% lower odds of developing VTE within 90 days of infection compared to unvaccinated individuals. For patients who had received at least one booster, the risk reduction was even more pronounced, with a 94% lower odds of post-infection VTE.
Additionally, the study found that the risk of post-COVID VTE was generally lower during the Omicron wave, although the overall rarity of VTE events limited further analysis on the interplay between variant and vaccine impact.
These findings suggest that COVID-19 booster doses offer robust protection against serious post-COVID complications like VTE, a condition that can lead to severe cardiovascular outcomes. For healthcare providers, this study reinforces the importance of recommending COVID-19 booster doses, especially for patients at higher risk of clotting disorders, to mitigate potential post-COVID complications.
Reference: O’Carroll A et al. Estimating the effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination and infection variant on post-COVID-19 venous thrombosis or embolism risk. OFID. 2024;11(11):ofae557.
