Feb. 2, 2024 – For those who’re within the minority of People who acquired the newest COVID-19 vaccination, chances are high you’re within the majority not experiencing any COVID signs now or within the close to future.
The CDC introduced the primary numbers on the XBB.1.5 monovalent vaccines safety towards growing signs, together with from the JN.1 variant. Amongst these vaccinated lately, immunization offered 54% extra safety towards signs in comparison with unvaccinated People.
“It’s actually thrilling information,” stated Luis Ostrosky, MD, chief of infectious ailments and epidemiology with UTHealth Houston and Memorial Hermann in Texas. “It’s actually fascinating to see this type of a real-world examine, not a scientific trial.”
The researchers took individuals who examined for COVID after which requested them about vaccine historical past. The unhealthy information is solely 22% of American adults have acquired the up to date vaccine.
The present shot protects towards quite a few COVID variants, together with the XBB variants that predominated this previous fall and the JN.1 variant that turned most typical beginning in December.
That’s excellent news for many who want to keep away from COVID signs comparable to fever or chills, muscle or physique aches, and shortness of breath.
Though some may suppose 54% doesn’t sound like a excessive share, it’s in keeping with the 60% or so safety towards signs related to the flu vaccine annually, Ostrosky stated.
“The present vaccine is a very good match for JN.1, immunologically talking,” Ostrosky stated. Nevertheless, “we’re very involved concerning the lack of uptake of this vaccine. However it’s by no means too late, proper?”
Public well being specialists have identified for a very long time that the COVID vaccines approved in September 2023 are much less efficient at stopping transmission of the virus from one particular person to a different. However among the many vaccinated uncovered to COVID, immunization is related to a lot decrease possibilities of growing critical sickness, requiring hospitalization or dying from COVID.
The 54% vaccine effectiveness relies on a examine from September by earlier this month of 9,222 COVID exams within the Group Entry to Testing SARS-CoV-2 pharmacy testing program. Each CVS and Walgreens take part in this system by reporting their COVID-19 testing outcomes.
The effectiveness of the vaccine was examined a median 52 to 60 days and as much as 119 days after vaccination. Researchers in contrast vaccinated adults to unvaccinated others. All members had been immunocompetent, that means they didn’t have underlying immune situations that positioned them at increased danger for extreme COVID sickness.
The CDC reported the full outcomes in Thursday’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).
For those who’re questioning about who’s eligible for the vaccine, together with when infants can get the COVID vaccine, the CDC recommends vaccination for all People 6 months and older.
Later this yr the CDC additionally plans to launch data on how efficient the COVID vaccines are towards stopping folks from searching for medical care from a physician or hospital due to extreme signs.
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