Full vaccination may decrease postoperative COVID‑19 infection, pneumonia, and pulmonary failure.
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Even partial vaccination reduced postoperative mortality and pulmonary complications.
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Full vaccination provides better protection against postoperative complications.
Abstract
Background
There are currently no data to guide decisions about delaying surgery to achieve full vaccination.
Methods
We analyzed data from patients undergoing surgery at any of the 1,283 VA medical facilities nationwide and compared postoperative complication rates by vaccination status.
Results
Of 87,073 surgical patients, 20% were fully vaccinated, 15% partially vaccinated, and 65% unvaccinated. Mortality was reduced in full vaccination vs. unvaccinated (Incidence Rate Ratio 0.77, 95% CI [0.62, 0.94]) and partially vaccinated vs. unvaccinated (0.75 [0.60, 0.94]). Postoperative COVID-19 infection was reduced in fully (0.18 [0.12, 0.26]) and partially vaccinated patients (0.34 [0.24, 0.48]). Fully vaccinated compared to partially vaccinated patients, had similar postoperative mortality (1.02, [0.78, 1.33]), but had decreased COVID-19 infection (0.53 [0.32, 0.87]), pneumonia (0.75 [0.62, 0.93]), and pulmonary failure (0.79 [0.68, 0.93]).
Conclusions
Full and partial vaccination reduces postoperative complications indicating the importance of any degree of vaccination prior to surgery.