Latest COVID-19 Booster Shot Provides Increased Protection, CDC Study Shows
The latest COVID-19 shot offers 54% increased protection for adults against becoming infected with the virus, according to a new study released Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The data, published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, shows the shot approved in September provides protection against both the strain of the virus that it was originally created to target and the more recent COVID lineages and mutations currently circulating nationwide.
Encouraging Findings to Boost Vaccination Rates
Dr. Bruce Hirsch, a Northwell Health infectious disease specialist, said the CDC findings are encouraging and should prompt more individuals in New York to receive the latest booster. The data reveals that to date, less than 10% of Long Islanders have received the shot.
However, Hirsch acknowledges that the study has limitations, including a lack of data on how effective the booster is at preventing severe COVID illness, including hospitalization and death.
“The fact that it shows efficacy…is very reassuring and leads us to believe that it’s very likely effective in preventing the worst consequences of COVID,” he said.
Effective Protection Levels
The nationwide study examined more than 9,200 people with COVID-like symptoms who were tested for the virus at CVS pharmacies or Walgreens locations between Sept. 21 and Jan. 14. Of those patients, nearly 3,300 tested positive for the virus.
The data gathered indicated that among those who received their booster between seven and 59 days earlier, the vaccine was 58% effective in preventing symptomatic infection. For those who received their shot 60 to 119 days earlier, the booster was 49% effective.
The report states, “Waning of effectiveness is expected with additional elapsed time since vaccination, especially against less severe disease.” The CDC will continue to monitor trends in vaccine effectiveness.
Comparable to Past Research and Influenza Vaccine
While most previous studies have measured the vaccine’s effectiveness against hospitalization and serious illness, the CDC mentioned that future reports will examine these outcomes. However, the latest findings are in line, or better, with past research demonstrating the vaccine’s effectiveness against COVID infection.
Moreover, officials highlight that the booster’s efficacy surpasses the roughly 50% annual effectiveness rate of the influenza vaccine.
Lagging Booster Uptake in the United States
The latest booster shot, authorized by the FDA as the third updated shot in the vaccine series, has been approved for individuals aged 6 months and older since Sept. 12.
Despite this approval, only 17% of Americans have received the booster nationwide. In New York State, the percentage is considerably lower at 11.6%, reflecting data from the State Health Department.
On Long Island, the numbers concerning booster reception fall among the lowest 20% of all 62 counties in New York State.
When comparing the booster’s uptake between counties, 9.3% of residents in Nassau County have received the booster shot, while the percentage in Suffolk County stands at 8.6%, according to available Health Department data.
Dr. Andrew Handel, a pediatric infectious diseases expert at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, points to a combination of factors responsible for the decrease in booster uptake. He suggests a refocus on vaccinating high-risk individuals, particularly as immunity wanes from prior doses, and the recognition that the current strain of the virus renders severe disease less likely over time.
Decline in COVID Positivity Rate
Health Department data shows that the COVID positivity rate in both New York and Long Island has dropped in recent weeks. After reaching its peak for the season at the beginning of January, the rate has decreased.
