Covid-19 Vaccination Prevents Functional Loss in Elderly

Abstract

Munoz-Gutierrez, Jose De Jesus, Gaytan-Ramos, Angel Ariel, Rodriguez-Quintanilla and Karina Alejandra

Background: COVID-19 caused high morbidity among persons 65 years and older. It is known that the disease reduces the independencies of a patient. SARS-CoV2 vaccination significantly reduced the severity of cases, hospitalizations, and mortality, especially in older people. Is vaccination preserving functional performance in older adults?

Methods: This study conducted in a COVID-19 concentration hospital in North Mexico. Patients 60 years and older, who were hospitalized and tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 between March 1 and October 31, 2021 were included. Participants were categorized based on their vaccination status upon admission and a 6-month follow-up phone call. The study examined functional performance assessing daily life activities using Katz index and Lawton Brody Scale.

Results: A total of 266 patients with an average age was 74 years. Regarding vaccination status, 40% were not immunized, and 31.4% had completed their immunization schedule. The analysis revealed that any immunization status significantly preserved IADL, with the highest level of protection observed in complete immunization status (p<0.001; OR 0.05, 95% CI 0.01-0.18). The former doesn’t apply for ADL performance since only complete vaccination status resulted protective (p=0.008; OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.09-0.71).

Conclusion: The key finding: even incomplete vaccinations prevent functional loss in the elderly, but a complete status confers maximum protection. Our study underscores the need to remove barriers hindering elderly vaccination.

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