Paxlovid does not significantly reduce COVID-19 hospitalization and mortality among vaccinated older adults, according to new UCLA-led research.
The study questions the assumption that Paxlovid’s effectiveness in reducing COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths in unvaccinated adults also applies to vaccinated adults. Pfizer’s 2022 clinical trial found reduced COVID-19 hospitalization in unvaccinated middle-aged adults; while a subsequent 2024 clinical trial found no significant reduction in vaccinated middle-aged adults. Since most older Americans have already received two or more COVID-19 vaccines, Paxlovid’s effectiveness on vaccinated older adults has remained an important unanswered question.
“Since the strongest predictor of severe COVID-19 is advanced age, it has been crucial to obtain evidence on…