Changes in population immunity against infection and severe disease from SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants in the United States between December 2021 and November 2022
Authors: Klaassen Fayette , Chitwood Melanie H. , Cohen Ted , Pitzer Virginia E. , Russi Marcus , Swartwood Nicole A. , Salomon Joshua A. , Menzies Nicolas A. 
Published: November 2022

Importance

While a substantial fraction of the US population was infected with SARS-CoV-2 during December 2021 – February 2022, the subsequent evolution of population immunity against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants reflects the competing influences of waning protection over time and acquisition or restoration of immunity through additional infections and vaccinations.

Objective

To estimate changes in population immunity against infection and severe disease due to circulating SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants in the United States from December 2021 to November 2022, and to quantify the protection against a potential 2022-2023 winter SARS-CoV-2 wave.

Design, setting, participants

Bayesian evidence synthesis of reported COVID-19 data (diagnoses, hospitalizations), vaccinations, and waning patterns for vaccine- and infection-acquired immunity, using a mathematical model of COVID-19 natural history.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Population immunity against infection and severe disease from SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants in the United States, by location (national, state, county) and week.

Results

By November 9, 2022, 94% (95% CrI, 79%–99%) of the US population were estimated to have been infected by SARS-CoV-2 at least once. Combined with vaccination, 97% (95%–99%) were estimated to have some prior immunological exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Between December 1, 2021 and November 9, 2022, protection against a new Omicron infection rose from 22% (21%–23%) to 63% (51%–75%) nationally, and protection against an Omicron infection leading to severe disease increased from 61% (59%–64%) to 89% (83%–92%). Increasing first booster uptake to 55% in all states (current US coverage: 34%) and second booster uptake to 22% (current US coverage: 11%) would increase protection against infection by 4.5 percentage points (2.4–7.2) and protection against severe disease by 1.1 percentage points (1.0–1.5).

Conclusions and Relevance

Effective protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe disease in November 2022 was substantially higher than in December 2021. Despite this high level of protection, a more transmissible or immune evading (sub)variant, changes in behavior, or ongoing waning of immunity could lead to a new SARS-CoV-2 wave.

Key points

Question

How did population immunity against SARS-CoV-2 infection and subsequent severe disease change between December 2021, and November 2022?

Findings

On November 9, 2022, the protection against a SARS-CoV-2 infection with the Omicron variant was estimated to be 63% (51%–75%) in the US, and the protection against severe disease was 89% (83%–92%).

Meaning

As most of the newly acquired immunity has been accumulated in the December 2021-February 2022 Omicron wave, risk of reinfection and subsequent severe disease remains present at the beginning of the 2022-2023 winter, despite high levels of protection.