Recent research suggests that an annual two-dose SARS-CoV-2 vaccination campaign could significantly reduce hospitalizations and deaths related to the virus. A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine indicates that administering a second dose of the vaccine five months after the initial dose could result in a substantial decrease in adverse outcomes.

The study, conducted by Chad R. Wells, Ph.D., and colleagues from the Yale School of Public Health, utilized an age-structured dynamic transmission model to assess the impact of an annual vaccination campaign in the United States. The campaign mirrored the age-specific uptake seen with influenza vaccination.

According to the findings, the optimal timing for delivering the second vaccine dose to children under 2 years and adults over 50 years was estimated to be five months after the initial dose. The introduction of a second booster dose led to 123,869 fewer hospitalizations and 5,524 fewer deaths compared to a single-dose campaign, resulting in a cost saving of approximately $3.63 billion over one year.

The authors of the study emphasize the potential benefits of adopting an annual vaccination campaign with the provision of a second dose for specific age groups. They believe that this approach could effectively protect individuals from SARS-CoV-2 infection and its associated outcomes.

These findings shed light on the potential advantages of implementing a two-dose annual vaccination strategy, offering valuable insights for public health officials and policymakers as they continue to combat the ongoing threat of COVID-19.