As per an observational analysis published in “The New England Journal of Medicine” BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine is effective for a broad range of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) associated outcomes. Using data from Israel's largest health care organization, the effectiveness of this vaccine against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was assessed in a nationwide mass vaccination setting.

Matching of unvaccinated controls to all the people who were newly vaccinated (from 20 Dec 2020-1 Feb 2021) was done in a 1:1 ratio based on demographic and clinical characteristics.  Each group incorporated 596,618 participants. Study outcomes included documented infection with coronavirus, symptomatic coronavirus infection, coronavirus-associated hospitalization, serious illness, and mortality.

Utilizing the Kaplan-Meier estimator, the vaccine efficacy was examined for each endpoint as one minus the risk ratio. The estimated efficacy of the vaccine for the outcomes at days 14 through 20 after the initial dose and at seven or more days following the second dose is depicted in the below table:

The estimated effectiveness of the vaccine in avoiding death from coronavirus infection was 72%  for days 14 through 20 following the initial dose. The estimated efficacy in specific subpopulations evaluated for documented and symptomatic coronavirus infection displayed consistency across all the age groups, with slightly reduced efficacy in individuals having multiple coexisting conditions. Thus, the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine appears to be a promising agent against coronavirus infection.