Two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine were less effective at preventing hospitalizations during the omicron BA.2 and BA.2.12.1 periods than during the BA.1 period, but a third and fourth dose provided additional protection to eligible adults, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday. Based on data from 10 states, two doses were 61% effective against hospitalization during the BA.1 period and 24% effective during the BA.2/BA.2.12.1 period, increasing to 85%-92% and 52%-69% effective, respectively, after a third dose. Among adults aged 50 and older, vaccine effectiveness against hospitalization during BA.2/BA.2.12.1 increased to 80% after a fourth dose, the study found.

“Getting vaccinated now will not prevent you from getting an authorized variant-specific vaccine in the fall or winter when they are recommended for you,” CDC said. “Given recent increases in deaths and hospitalizations associated with the BA.5 variant, everyone should stay up to date with recommended COVID-19 vaccinations, including additional booster doses for those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised and adults over 50.”
 

Related News Articles

Headline
The Department of Health and Human Services July 28 announced the creation of a $100 million pilot program to prevent, test for, treat and cure hepatitis C for…
Headline
Five pediatric flu deaths were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week, pushing the total to 266 for the 2024-2025 flu season,…
Headline
The Department of Health and Human Services July 23 announced it is recommending the removal of thimerosal from all U.S. flu vaccines. The announcement follows…
Headline
The Food and Drug Administration July 15 announced a recall by Sandoz on certain lots of cefazolin, due to the lots being mislabeled as penicillin G potassium…
Headline
 The Food and Drug Administration July 10 approved Moderna’s Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine for children under 12 with at least one underlying condition that…
Headline
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention July 7 announced it is streamlining H5N1 bird flu updates with its routine influenza data given the low public…