Study type

Study type

Non-interventional study

Scope of the study

Assessment of risk minimisation measure implementation or effectiveness
Disease epidemiology
Drug utilisation
Non-interventional study

Non-interventional study design

Cohort
Study drug and medical condition

Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) code

(J07BX03) covid-19 vaccines

Medical condition to be studied

COVID-19 immunisation
Population studied

Age groups

Infants and toddlers (28 days – 23 months)
Children (2 to < 12 years)
Adolescents (12 to < 18 years)
Adults (18 to < 46 years)
Adults (46 to < 65 years)
Adults (65 to < 75 years)
Adults (75 to < 85 years)
Adults (85 years and over)

Special population of interest

Immunocompromised

Estimated number of subjects

107458
Study design details

Main study objective

To assess whether the following groups of individuals in the VHA system experience increased risk of safety events of interest following receipt of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine: individuals receiving first dose, individuals receiving the primary series of two doses, individuals receiving additional approved doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine after the primary series of two doses

Outcomes

Risk of safety events of interest following receipt of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine among various groups of individuals and sub-cohorts of interest in the VHA system, The proportion of individuals receiving at least one dose of the the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, 2-dose vaccine completion rate, additional approved dose(s) completion rate, distribution of time gaps between the first and second dose and between the second and additional approved dose(s), and demographics and health histories of recipients, overall and among the subcohorts of interest

Data analysis plan

A stepwise approach will be performed for signal detection, evaluation, and verification. Signal detection: The maximized sequential probability ratio test (MaxSPRT) using a binomial probability model will be applied to the self-controlled risk interval (SCRI) analysis and the Poisson-based MaxSPRT to the comparison group. Signals will be detected if the critical values are reached via the SCRI or active comparator analysis. Signal evaluation: Detected signals will be confirmed through quality assurance and multivariate adjustment using Poisson regression to account for differences between vaccinated and active comparator cohorts. SCRI and self-controlled case series analyses will be conducted as well as a comparison to contemporary unvaccinated controls. Signal verification: Diagnostic validation of the detected safety events of interest via adjudication of medical records by VHA clinicians for outcome verification will be conducted in a representative sample of cases.
Documents
Study results
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