United States: Rising COVID-19 cases in the United States have prompted the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to advocate for vaccination, with data supporting the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines.
As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to climb in the United States, the CDC is urging the public to get vaccinated against the virus. Recent data from the CDC indicates that getting vaccinated can reduce the risk of infection by 50 percent.
It’s important to note that the vaccine formula was modified by manufacturers to address the Omicron variant XBB.1.5, which caused a surge in COVID-19 cases in 2023. However, the CDC’s findings reveal that the latest vaccines also effectively combat the JN.1 variant.
The CDC’s conclusion is based on a study involving 9,000 adults who tested positive for COVID-19 between mid-September and mid-January at Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy locations. According to the CDC report, COVID-19 vaccines show a 54 percent effectiveness against symptomatic infection.
Ruth Link-Gelles, the head of the vaccine effectiveness program for COVID and RSV, led the study and emphasized the reassuring results, stating, “Everything from this study is reassuring that the vaccines are providing the protection that we expected.” She added that the vaccine’s effectiveness extends to the general population, providing reassurance for everyone.
While highlighting the significance of such research, Link-Gelles explained, “That’s a positive aspect of this analysis, confirming that the vaccine is effective, offering protection against the current most common variant, JN.1.” However, she also noted a subtle indication in the recent study that suggests a potential decrease in vaccine protection over time.
Despite the current effectiveness, Link-Gelles cautioned that the protection offered by the COVID-19 vaccine may diminish in the future. The CDC plans to continue research to assess the latest vaccine’s effectiveness, its performance against ongoing infections, and the rate at which protection may decline.
Wastewater data further supports the prediction of rising COVID-19 levels nationwide. Current statistics indicate tens of thousands of hospitalizations and hundreds of deaths. As of the week ending January 13, the CDC reported 31,000 hospital admissions and approximately 1,800 deaths. Despite these figures, the vaccination rate among adults is one in five, and among children, it is one in nine.
Link-Gelles emphasized the importance of getting vaccinated, stating, “There’s never a bad time to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Even with relatively low levels of hospitalization right now, that extra protection is going to go a long way.”