New Study Shows COVID-19 Booster Offers 54% Increased Protection, CDC Reports
A new study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revealed that the latest COVID-19 booster shot provides a significant increase in protection against the virus. The study, published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, shows that the booster shot approved in September offers 54% increased protection against both the original strain of the virus and the more recent COVID lineages and mutations currently circulating nationwide.
Dr. Bruce Hirsch, an infectious disease specialist at Northwell Health, expressed his optimism about the CDC findings and urged more New Yorkers to receive the latest booster. Surprisingly, data shows that less than 10% of Long Islanders have received the shot to date. However, Hirsch acknowledges that the study has limitations, such as a lack of data on how effective the booster is at preventing severe COVID illness, including hospitalization and death.
The nationwide study analyzed data from over 9,200 people with COVID-like symptoms who were tested for the virus at CVS pharmacies or Walgreens locations between September 21 and January 14. Among these patients, nearly 3,300 tested positive for the virus. The data revealed that the booster was 58% effective in preventing symptomatic infection among those who received it seven to 59 days earlier. For those who received their shot 60 to 119 days earlier, the effectiveness rate was 49%.
While previous studies mainly focused on the vaccine’s effectiveness against hospitalization and serious illness, future reports will examine these outcomes as well. Nevertheless, the latest findings are consistent with or even better than past research regarding the vaccine’s effectiveness against COVID infection. Health officials also emphasized that the booster’s efficacy surpasses the approximately 50% annual effectiveness rate of the influenza vaccine.
The FDA authorized this third updated shot for anyone aged six months or older on September 12. However, the percentage of Americans who have received the latest booster remains low. Nationwide, only 17% of Americans have received the booster, and in New York State, the figure is even lower at 11.6%, according to State Health Department data. On Long Island, the vaccination rate is among the lowest in the state, with 9.3% of Nassau County residents and 8.6% of Suffolk County residents having received the booster.
Dr. Andrew Handel, a pediatric infectious diseases expert at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, shed light on the reasons behind these low numbers. He believes that people are less enthusiastic about the vaccine in general and that the focus should be on vaccinating high-risk individuals as immunity wanes from previous doses. Additionally, he noted that the current strain of the virus has become less likely to cause severe disease over time.
In recent weeks, the COVID positivity rate has gradually declined both statewide and on Long Island after peaking at the start of January. This positive trend provides hope that the booster shot will contribute to further reducing the spread of the virus and its impact on public health.
In conclusion, the new study from the CDC highlights the effectiveness of the latest COVID-19 booster shot in providing increased protection against the virus. While there are limitations to the study, such as a lack of data on severe illness prevention, the findings are encouraging and should encourage more individuals to get vaccinated. The low vaccination rates in New York State, particularly on Long Island, indicate a need for increased efforts to educate and motivate people to receive the booster. As the COVID positivity rate decreases, there is hope that widespread booster administration will contribute to overcoming the challenges posed by the virus.
