By Gavin Mackintosh-
The latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows a varied rate of protection offered by boosters in reducing the risk of death with the Omicron variant.
The data provided by The Uk Health Agency Security, reveals high levels of protection against hospitalization from the booster, starting from a very high rate of protection, and reducing with time.
After a Pfizer booster (after either primary vaccination course), vaccine effectiveness against hospitalization started at around 90%, dropping to around 75% after 10 to 14 weeks, the data reveals.
The data confirms that the efficacy of the vaccine wanes with time, which also varies with the different immune system of individuals.
The impact of the vaccination programme on the population is assessed by taking into account
vaccine coverage, evidence on vaccine effectiveness and the latest COVID-19 disease
surveillance indicators.
Vaccine coverage reveals the proportion of the population that have received 1, 2 and 3
doses of COVID-19 vaccines. By 9 January 2022, the overall vaccine uptake in England for
dose 1 was 68.8%, and was 63.4%. Overall vaccine uptake in England in people with
at least 3 doses was 47.5%.
The data does not take into account inherent biases present such as differences in risk, behaviour and testing in the vaccinated and unvaccinated populations. Vaccine effectiveness is measured in other ways
In the case of a Moderna booster (mRNA-1273) (after either primary vaccination course), the UK Health Agency said vaccine effectiveness against hospitalization was 90% to 95% up to 9 weeks after vaccination. Longer follow-up data is not yet available and these figures may change with time.
An initial analysis of vaccine effectiveness against the Omicron variant sub-lineage known as BA.2 (designated VUI-22JAN-01 on 19 January), reveals a similar level of protection for symptomatic infection compared to Omicron (BA.1).
After 2 doses, effectiveness was 9% and 13% respectively for BA.1 and BA.2, after 25+ weeks. This increased to 63% for BA.1 and 70% for BA.2 from 2 weeks following a booster vaccine.
Large clinical trials have been undertaken for each of the COVID-19 vaccines approved in the
UK which concluded a high level of efficacy at preventing symptomatic disease in the
populations that were studied. The clinical trials have been designed to be able to assess the
efficacy of the vaccine against laboratory confirmed symptomatic disease with a relatively short
follow up period so that effective vaccines can be introduced as rapidly as possible.
The UKHG Agency said that although individuals may not develop symptoms of COVID-19 after vaccination, it is possible that they could still be infected with the virus, and could transmit to others.
The likely impact of the vaccination programme on the wider population varies from one demography of people to another. In order to estimate vaccine effectiveness against infection, repeat asymptomatic testing of a defined cohort of individuals is required.
Nevertheless, understanding the effectiveness against different outcomes (such as severe disease and onwards transmission), effectiveness in different subgroups of the population, and understanding the duration of protection, are equally important in decision making around which vaccines should be implemented as the programme evolves, who they should be offered to and whether booster doses are required.
Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunization at UKHSA, said:
‘The evidence is clear – the vaccine helps to protect us all against the effects of COVID-19 and the booster is offering high levels of protection from hospitalisation and death in the most vulnerable members of our society.
The pandemic is not over yet and the vaccine is the best way to increase your protection against the serious consequences of this virus – please book your appointment for your first, second or third vaccine without delay.
Vaccines minister Maggie Throup said:
”A booster vaccine is absolutely crucial to topping up your immunity against the Omicron variant.
More than 80% of eligible adults in England have already received their booster and this has allowed us to ease COVID-19 restrictions.
The findings show that around 6 months after a second dose of any of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines, protection against death with Omicron was around 60% in those aged 50 and over. However, this increased to around 95% 2 weeks after receiving a booster vaccine dose.
The data continue to show high levels of protection against hospitalization from the booster. After a Pfizer booster (after either primary vaccination course), vaccine effectiveness against hospitalization started at around 90%, dropping to around 75% after 10 to 14 weeks.
After a Moderna booster (mRNA-1273) (after either primary vaccination course), vaccine effectiveness against hospitalisation was 90% to 95% up to 9 weeks after vaccination. Longer follow-up data is not yet available and these figures may change with time.
An initial analysis of vaccine effectiveness against the Omicron variant sub-lineage known as BA.2 (designated VUI-22JAN-01 on 19 January), reveals a similar level of protection for symptomatic infection compared to Omicron (BA.1). After 2 doses, effectiveness was 9% and 13% respectively for BA.1 and BA.2, after 25+ weeks. This increased to 63% for BA.1 and 70% for BA.2 from 2 weeks following a booster vaccine.
Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at UKHSA, said:
”The evidence is clear – the vaccine helps to protect us all against the effects of COVID-19 and the booster is offering high levels of protection from hospitalisation and death in the most vulnerable members of our society.
The pandemic is not over yet and the vaccine is the best way to increase your protection against the serious consequences of this virus – please book your appointment for your first, second or third vaccine without delay.
Vaccines minister Maggie Throup said:
‘A booster vaccine is absolutely crucial to topping up your immunity against the Omicron variant.
More than 80% of eligible adults in England have already received their booster, and this has allowed us to ease COVID-19 restrictions”.