In a recent study published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, researchers found COVID-19 vaccines are effective at preventing hospitalizations and emergency department visits caused by the Delta variant.
They also found that Moderna’s vaccine is significantly more effective against Delta than Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson.
These real-world results showed that vaccines remain highly effective at reducing COVID-19 related hospitalizations and emergency department visits, even in the presence of the new COVID-19 variant.
The team strongly recommends vaccinations for all who are eligible to reduce serious illness and ease the burden on the healthcare system.
The study is from Regenstrief Institute. One author is Shaun Grannis, M.D., M.S.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s VISION Network analyzed more than 32,000 medical encounters from nine states during June, July and August 2021, when the Delta variant became the predominant strain.
The results showed that unvaccinated individuals with COVID-19 are 5-7 times more likely to need emergency department care or hospitalization, similar to the overall effectiveness prior to the variant.
The study is also the first analysis to show a marked difference between the effectiveness of the mRNA vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer).
The team found Moderna was 95% effective at preventing hospitalizations among adults ages 18 and older.
Pfizer was 80% effective at preventing hospitalizations among adults ages 18 and older.
Johnson & Johnson was 60% effective at preventing hospitalizations among adults ages 18 and older.
The study also found that vaccine effectiveness is lower for people 75 years and older, which has not been shown in previous research. This could be due to a range of factors, including the increased time since vaccination.
When it came to preventing emergency department and urgent care visits, the analysis showed that Moderna was 92% effective, Pfizer was 77% effective, and Johnson & Johnson was 65% effective.
The researchers say these findings need further monitoring and evaluation. Despite the differences in effectiveness, vaccines continue to offer much more protection than not getting one at all.
While breakthrough cases do happen, data shows the symptoms are less severe. The vast majority of COVID hospitalizations and deaths continue to be among unvaccinated people. COVID-19 vaccines are powerful tools for combating the pandemic.
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