COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness against severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) hospitalisations associated with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 in Ghana, June 2022 to March 2024

Amoako, Nicholas and Cohuet, Sandra and Adjei, Michael Rockson and Gurry, Celine and Oduro, Abraham and Agyapong, Prince Darko and Musah, Osei and Asante, Ivy Asantewaa and Awuah, Anthony Afum-Adjei and Ayivor-Djanie, Reuben and Duedu, Kwabena and Kenu, Ernest and Adjei, George Obeng and Owusu-Dabo, Ellis and Amuasi, John and Asiedu-Bekoe, Franklin and Laryea, Dennis and Kasolo, Francis and Ohene, Sally-Ann and Rose, Angela M.C. and Nardone, Anthony and Archibald, Worwui Kwame and Humphreys, James and Ampofo, William and Owusu-Agyei, Seth and Mwenda, Jason Mathiu and Asante, Kwaku Poku (2026) COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness against severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) hospitalisations associated with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 in Ghana, June 2022 to March 2024. Vaccine. p. 128310. ISSN 0264-410X

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Abstract

Background
The use of vaccines to urgently respond to the COVID-19 pandemic generated the need for monitoring vaccine effectiveness in the context of new viral variants and changing epidemiology. This study measured the COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness (VE) against laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 in hospitalised patients diagnosed with severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) in Ghana.
Methods
This was a test-negative, case-control study, among patients aged ≥15 years, attending 32 hospitals that participate in influenza surveillance system between June 2022 and March 2024. Naso-and oropharyngeal swabs were tested for SARS-CoV-2 by PCR. Medical and vaccination data were obtained. VE was estimated as one minus adjusted odds of vaccination among participants, expressed as a percentage, and the reference was either unvaccinated cases (absolute VE) or unvaccinated plus those vaccinated >12 months prior to symptom onset (annual VE).
Results
Of 1974 SARI patients, 1796 (91%) were enrolled, including 929/1796 males (52%) and 867/1796 females (48%); 41% were above 60 years old. At least one chronic medical condition was reported in 167/1796 (9%) participants. A total of 118/1796 (7%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, of whom 29 (25%) have received at least one dose of vaccine (Sputnik V, Vaxzevria, JCovden, or Comirnaty). Of the 1678 (93%) who tested negative for SARS-CoV-2, 412 (25%) received at least one dose of vaccine. Among pregnant women (n = 50), 5 (10%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 Absolute and annual VE against COVID-19 SARI hospitalization were respectively 22% (95% CI, −107–70) and 19% (95% CI, −113%–50%) for last dose of vaccine received up to 179 days prior but waned after 6 months.
Conclusion
COVID-19 vaccines may have prevented COVID-19-associated SARI hospitalizations in the first 6 months over the study period in Ghana, and a pattern of protective effective was observed, consistent with report from other settings, although effect estimates were imprecise.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number:	10.1016/j.vaccine.2026.128310
Dates:	Date Event 30 January 2026 Accepted 17 February 2026 Published Online
Uncontrolled Keywords:	COVID-19, SARI hospitalization, Vaccine effectiveness, SARS-CoV-2, Ghana
Subjects:	CAH03 - biological and sport sciences > CAH03-01 - biosciences > CAH03-01-02 - biology (non-specific)
Divisions:	Life and Health Sciences > Life and Sports Sciences
Depositing User:	Gemma Tonks
Date Deposited:	03 Mar 2026 08:01
Last Modified:	03 Mar 2026 08:01
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/16901

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