Study: COVID-19 vaccine boosters prevent hospitalizations

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.”