New COVID Vaccines Proven Effective Against Latest Mutations
A recent study confirms that the updated COVID-19 vaccines continue to protect against severe illness caused by new coronavirus variants, including the XBB and JN.1 Omicron strains. The research found that these vaccines reduced the risk of emergency room and urgent care visits related to COVID by 24%, hospitalizations by 29%, and ICU admissions or in-hospital deaths by 48%. This protection was observed from one week after vaccination and lasted up to nearly 10 months.
The greatest level of defense was seen in the first two months following vaccination, during which the risk of severe COVID cases dropped by as much as 68%. However, vaccine effectiveness declined over time, especially beyond six months after receiving the shot. Dr. Shaun Grannis, a co-author of the study, emphasized the importance of staying current with COVID-19 vaccinations, particularly for older adults and vulnerable populations, as the virus continues to change.
Despite these encouraging findings, recent regulatory decisions have complicated the rollout of updated vaccines. In May, the FDA stated it would only authorize new COVID vaccines for the general public if they undergo placebo-controlled trials. Additionally, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that the CDC would no longer recommend COVID vaccination for healthy children or pregnant women, though the CDC website has yet to reflect this change.
The study analyzed data from over 345,000 emergency and urgent care visits and more than 111,000 hospital admissions involving COVID-positive adults across six healthcare systems in eight states. These cases, collected from September 2023 through August 2024 during the prevalence of the XBB and JN.1 variants, were compared with vaccination and lab records to assess vaccine impact.
The research highlighted that older adults, particularly those 65 and above, benefited most from the updated vaccines, reinforcing current recommendations for timely vaccinations and booster doses in high-risk groups. Brian Dixon, another researcher involved, noted that effective vaccines remain essential tools for reducing COVID-19-related hospital visits and keeping communities healthier overall.
Discussion about this post