Recent CDC research provided strong evidence that the COVID-19 vaccines protect dramatic protection from COVID breakthroughs causing severe outcomes or death. Out of more than 1.2 MILLION people who got their primary vaccination series, just 189 people (0.015%) experienced severe outcomes from COVID and only 36 people (0.0033%) in the study died of COVID. Not only are these outcomes “rare,” they are extremely rare! If you’ve not had the vaccine, you may want to reconsider!

What is already known about this topic?

COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective against COVID-19–associated hospitalization and death.

What is added by this report?

Among 1,228,664 (over one and a quarter MILLION) persons who completed primary COVID vaccination during December 2020–October 2021, severe COVID-19–associated outcomes (0.015%) or death (0.0033%) were rare.

Risk factors for severe outcomes included

• age ≥65 years,
• immunosuppressed, and
• six other underlying conditions (including pulmonary disease, liver disease, chronic kidney disease, neurologic disease, diabetes, or cardiac disease).

All persons with severe outcomes had at least one risk factor; 78 percent of persons who died had at least four.

What are the implications for public health practice?

Vaccinated persons who are older, immunosuppressed, or have other underlying conditions should receive targeted interventions including chronic disease management, precautions to reduce exposure, additional primary and booster vaccine doses, and effective pharmaceutical therapy to mitigate risk for severe outcomes.

What is the bottom line?

Increasing vaccination coverage is a critical public health priority.

This blog was accurate as of the day of posting. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly evolves and the scientific community’s understanding of the novel coronavirus and the COVID vaccine develops, the information above may have changed since it was last updated. While I aim to keep all of my blogs on COVID and the COVID vaccine up to date, please visit online resources provided by the CDC, WHO, and your local public health department to stay informed on the latest news.

© Copyright WLL, INC. 2022. This blog provides a wide variety of general health information only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from your regular physician. If you are concerned about your health, take what you learn from this blog and meet with your personal doctor to discuss your concerns.