The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a new study of hospitalised patients with symptoms similar to Covid-19 which reinforces that vaccination is the best protection against respiratory disease.
Below is what the report entailed.
· In a new Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) examining more than 7,000 people across nine states who were hospitalized with Covid-like illness, CDC found that those who were unvaccinated and had a recent infection were five times more likely to have COVID-19 than those who were recently fully vaccinated and did not have a prior infection.
· The study was conducted across 187 hospitals.
· The data demonstrates that vaccination can provide a higher, more robust, and more consistent level of immunity to protect people from hospitalization for COVID-19 than infection alone for at least 6 months.
· The report quoted CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky speaking on the importance of taking the Covid-19 vaccines, even if one has had prior infection.
“We now have additional evidence that reaffirms the importance of COVID-19 vaccines, even if you have had prior infection. This study adds more to the body of knowledge demonstrating the protection of vaccines against severe disease from COVID-19,” said Dr Walensky.
“The best way to stop COVID-19, including the emergence of variants, is with widespread COVID-19 vaccination and with disease prevention actions such as mask wearing, washing hands often, physical distancing, and staying home when sick.”
· The report notes that the study looked at data from the VISION Network which showed that among adults hospitalised with symptoms similar to Covid-19, unvaccinated people with prior infection within 3-6 months were 5.49 times more likely to have laboratory-confirmed Covid-19 than those who were fully vaccinated within 3-6 months with mRNA (Pfizer or Moderna) Covid-19 vaccines.
“Covid-19 vaccines are safe and effective. They prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death. CDC continues to recommend everyone 12 and older to get vaccinated against Covid-19,” the report read.
