A recent study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that adults who have not received their COVID-19 vaccine booster doses may have limited protection against hospitalization compared to those who have not been vaccinated at all. The study, which analyzed over 85,000 hospitalizations of people with COVID-like illness across multiple states, highlights the importance of staying up to date with booster doses to maintain adequate protection.
According to Dr. Shana Johnson, a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician in Scottsdale, Arizona, the bivalent mRNA vaccine offers protection against severe COVID-19 outcomes such as hospitalization and critical disease. However, the durability of this protection is not ideal. For adults, the effectiveness of the vaccine decreased from 62% two months after vaccination to 24% at four to six months for protection against COVID-19 hospitalizations. The vaccine showed better durability in preventing critical COVID-19 disease, with an effectiveness of 50% at four to six months after vaccination. Individuals without weakened immune systems experienced longer-lasting protection.
The study findings support updated recommendations that suggest additional optional bivalent COVID-19 vaccine doses for certain high-risk populations. The CDC emphasizes the importance of all eligible individuals staying up to date with recommended COVID-19 vaccines.
Despite the CDC’s recommendation in September 2022 that all vaccinated individuals aged 12 and older should receive a booster dose, only 20.5% of US adults have received it as of May 10, 2023. Most of these individuals received their last vaccine dose over a year ago. Dr. Marc Siegel, a professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, emphasizes the importance of high-risk groups, including the elderly and those with chronic diseases, receiving the booster shot.
Dr. Siegel reminds us that although COVID cases and deaths are decreasing in the US, the virus is still a threat. He points to the ongoing outbreak in China as a reminder that COVID is still present. While the US has higher population immunity due to prior infections and vaccinations, the effectiveness of vaccines in reducing severity and preventing long COVID diminishes after a year.
The study focused on the durability of the bivalent mRNA vaccine in protecting against hospitalization and critical illness. It did not consider previous COVID-19 infection or natural immunity. However, the authors note that natural immunity provides some level of protection, but the vaccine offers additional benefits by providing broader coverage, including protection against different variants.
In conclusion, it is crucial for adults to stay current with their COVID-19 booster doses to ensure optimal protection against severe outcomes. The vaccine provides an added layer of defense beyond natural immunity and offers broader coverage against various variants.
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