Topline
The three Covid-19 vaccines that have been approved for use in the United States provide strong protection against hospitalizations. However, Modernas vaccine is slightly more effective than Pfizer and Johnson & Johnsons vaccines according to a Friday study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This is because some communities are struggling with low vaccination rates and high hospital visits.
Ashley Hennigan, D.C. Health's nurse manager, fills a syringe containing a dose Johnson & Johnson... [+] Coronavirus vaccine at a walk-up clinic at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC on May 6, 2021. Getty Images
The Key Facts
According to the CDC study that looked at thousands of U.S. adults who were admitted to hospitals between March and August, Modernas vaccine was 93% effective in preventing Covid-19 hospitalizations. Pfizers vaccine was 88% effective, while Johnson & Johnsons vaccine was 71%. Modernas was only one point more effective than Pfizers, which had 91% effectiveness against hospitalizations within 120-days of receiving a second dose. However, Modernas effectiveness decreased just one point to 93% to 92% in 120 days. The CDC did not break down Johnson & Johnsons effectiveness because they didn't have sufficient data. The study did not include data on immunocompromised patients, children and people who had only been partially vaccinated against Covid-19. The CDC stated that data on effectiveness differences can be used to guide individual decisions and policy recommendations about vaccine boosters. However, it noted that all three vaccines approved by U.S. regulators seem to provide strong protection.
Important Quote
These real-world data may suggest that there are variations in the levels of vaccine protection, but all FDA-approved and authorized COVID-19 vaccinations provide significant protection against COVID-19 hospitalizations, according to the study.
Tangent
A second study, also from last week, suggested that Modernas vaccine might offer greater protection against illnesses that require hospitalizations. According to data from nine states, Moderna was 92% more effective than Johnson & Johnson (77%), and Pfizer (65%) in preventing visits to urgent care and emergency rooms.
Important Background
Many states are facing severe hospital capacity shortages and a surge in demand for Covid-19 antibodies treatments. This is due to a rise in coronavirus infection rates, which has been driven by the more contagious Delta variant of the virus. Public health officials are urging Americans not vaccinated to get inoculated immediately. They claim that vaccines continue to be incredibly effective at preventing severe diseases. Some experts are keeping an eye on the effectiveness of vaccines over time. A panel of experts from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommended Friday that vaccine booster shots be approved for high-risk Americans and Americans over 65. However, they voted down approval for all Americans 16 and older because there was insufficient evidence.
Surprising Fact
Although Friday's study did not assess whether the delta variant had affected the vaccines effectiveness in any way, previous studies have shown that they work. The CDC reported last week that the vaccine's effectiveness in stopping infections decreased slightly after the introduction of the delta variant, but that it was still very effective against death and hospitalization.
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CDC says that unvaccinated people are 11 times more likely to die from covid (Forbes).
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