COVID-19 Vaccination Prioritization Based on Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Number-Needed-to-Vaccinate to Prevent Death

ABSTRACT The supply limitations of COVID-19 vaccines have led to the need to prioritize vaccine distribution. Obesity, diabetes and hypertension have been associated with an increased risk of severe COVID-19 infection. Approximately half as many individuals with a cardiovascular risk factor need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to prevent related death as compared with individuals without a risk factor. Our analysis suggests that prioritizing adults with these cardiovascular risk factors for vaccination is likely to be an efficient way to reduce population COVID-19 mortality.