Study Reveals Paxlovid Ineffective for Vaccinated Seniors

New research from UCLA reveals that Paxlovid does not significantly reduce COVID-19 hospitalization and mortality among vaccinated older adults, challenging previous assumptions based on earlier trials primarily involving unvaccinated individuals. The study indicates that the effectiveness of Paxlovid in reducing hospitalizations among vaccinated older adults is at best four times weaker than what was reported in Pfizer's 2022 clinical trial. Dr. John Mafi, the study's lead author, emphasized the necessity of evaluating Paxlovid's impact on this demographic, especially since most older Americans have received multiple vaccine doses. The findings, which will be published in JAMA, raise important questions about the drug's perceived effectiveness and its pricing, as it continues to be widely used globally. These results highlight the critical need for ongoing evaluation of treatments like Paxlovid in diverse populations, particularly among the most vulnerable. Overall, the study underscores the complexity of COVID-19 outcomes related to age and vaccination status.