Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
A CDC scientist stated that the COVID-19 vaccine's effectiveness against infection appears to have dropped.
Dr. Sara Oliver stated that vaccines still have a high rate of effectiveness in preventing hospitalization.
The effectiveness of vaccines against hospitalization varied from 75% to 95%.
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A scientist at the Centers for Disease Control stated Monday that COVID-19 vaccines still have high effectiveness against hospitalization despite the rise in the more transmissible Delta variant.
Dr. Sara Oliver presented Monday's presentation to the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. She stated that vaccine effectiveness against hospitalization has varied from 75% to 95% since Delta was introduced.
Since the introduction of the Delta version, the vaccine's effectiveness in preventing infection varied from 39% to 84%.
The presentation stated that vaccines are still effective in preventing severe illness and hospitalization, but may be less effective in preventing infection.
Slides indicated that both the waning protection over the course of time and the Delta variant could be contributing factors to the decreased effectiveness of vaccines.
Oliver stated that it is not unusual for vaccines to require multiple doses. This includes vaccines for HPV and hepatitis. She said that more information is required before the group can determine if booster shots are necessary.
Dr. Anthony Fauci is the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. He previously stated that the pandemic could be contained by next spring if millions of people who have not been vaccinated were vaccinated. According to the presentation, vaccination should be the number one priority.
Experts warn that spreading the virus, particularly the Delta variant, could result in a more deadly variant.
Fauci stated that "this is a very wily viral." "If we continue to linger without getting those people vaccinated that they should, this virus could linger on, which could lead to another variant. This could complicate matters."
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The presentation stated that booster shots should be given to those most at high risk for severe diseases.
Oliver said that it was important to ensure global vaccine availability. Her presentation stated that "uncontrolled global spread could lead to new variants of the pandemic everywhere."
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