CT severity score: an imaging biomarker to estimate the severity of COVID-19 pneumonia in vaccinated and non-vaccinated population

BACKGROUND: In India, two vaccines received emergent use authorization, namely Covishield (a brand of the Oxford—Astra Zeneca vaccine manufactured by the Serum institute of India) and Covaxin (developed by Bharat Biotech) against COVID-19 disease. Chest CT is an objective way to assess the extent of pulmonary parenchymal involvement. This study aims to estimate the disease severity and outcome due to COVID-19 among vaccinated and non-vaccinated symptomatic patients and compare the same in Covishield versus Covaxin recipients using CT severity score. RESULTS: A total of 306 patients were retrospectively evaluated. The mean age was 62.56 ± 8.9 years, and males [n-208 (67.97%)] were commonly affected. Of 306 patients, 143 were non-vaccinated (47%), 124 were partially vaccinated (40%), and 39 were completely vaccinated (13%). CT severity scores were reduced in both Covishield and Covaxin recipients in comparison with the non-vaccinated group [χ(2) (2) = 16.32, p < 0.001]. There is a reduction in LOS among the vaccinated group, predominantly among the Covishield recipients. CONCLUSION: Vaccination confers protection from severe SARS-CoV2 infection and is associated with an overall reduction in mortality.