Yesterday, the NYS Department of Health released data showing the effectiveness of vaccines in the fight against COVID-19. The study, which was published by the CDC, found that unvaccinated New Yorkers were eleven times more likely to be hospitalized and eight times more likely to be diagnosed with COVID-19 than those who were fully vaccinated. The results of the study show vaccinations remain the best way for New Yorkers to protect themselves, families, and communities from COVID-19 and its most severe outcomes, such as hospitalization.

NYSDOH evaluated vaccine effectiveness as it relates to infection and hospitalization by using multiple data sources- including immunization (i.e., NYSIIS), testing, and hospital databases. The evaluation period was May 3rd to July 25th, 2021, during which time the delta variant was becoming increasingly prevalent in the state. The study published as an early release in MMWR showed that vaccine effectiveness against hospitalizations remained stable, however vaccine effectiveness against infection declined, both metrics were age-adjusted.

“During May 3–July 25, 2021, the overall age-adjusted VE against new COVID-19 cases for all adults declined from 91.7% to 79.8%. During the same period, the overall age-adjusted VE against hospitalization was relatively stable, ranging from 91.9% to 95.3%.”

When comparing events between those vaccinated vs. unvaccinated, the researchers found the following for new cases: “During May 3–July 25, a total of 9,675 new cases (1.31 per 100,000 person-days) occurred among fully vaccinated adults, compared with 38,505 (10.69 per 100,000 person-days) among unvaccinated adults (Table).”; and the following for hospitalizations: “A total of 1,271 new COVID-19 hospitalizations (0.17 per 100,000 person-days) occurred among fully vaccinated adults, compared with 7,308 (2.03 per 100,000 person-days) among unvaccinated adults (Table).”

“These findings support a multipronged approach to reducing new COVID-19 hospitalizations and cases, centered on vaccination, and including other approaches such as masking and physical distancing.”

To read the full-text MMWR article, please click here.