Variables associated with odds of severe COVID-19 among vaccinated patients with hematologic cancers in the Veterans Health Administration

With SARS-CoV-2 transforming into an endemic disease and with antiviral treatments available, it is important to establish which patients remain at risk of severe COVID-19 despite vaccination. In a case-control study including 6122 vaccinated patients with hematologic cancer and SARS-CoV-2 infection, 1301 patients (21.3%) developed severe COVID-19, defined as death within 28 days, mechanical ventilation, or hospitalization with use of dexamethasone or evidence of hypoxemia. Factors associated with higher odds of severe COVID-19 were age, comorbidities, and treatment for malignant neoplasm, while booster vaccination was associated with lower odds. The authors conclude that prevalence of severe COVID-19 among patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection remains high in those with hematologic cancers despite vaccination.