Even with Delta Variant Infection... Hospitalization Rate Drops Significantly After Two Doses of Pfizer or AZ

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] A study has found that completing COVID-19 vaccinations with Pfizer and AstraZeneca (AZ) significantly reduces the risk of hospitalization from the Delta variant. The Delta variant, first identified in India, is known to be up to 80% more transmissible than the original COVID-19 virus.

On the 14th (local time), the UK Public Health England (PHE) announced that people who received two doses of the Pfizer and AZ vaccines saw their hospitalization rates drop by 96% and 92%, respectively, when infected with the Delta variant.

This study was conducted on 14,019 people infected with the Delta variant in the UK from April 12 to June 4. Among them, 166 required hospitalization.

The reduction in hospitalization rates from the two vaccines against the Delta variant is higher than their effectiveness in preventing infection. According to PHE's announcement last month, both Pfizer and AZ showed only 33% effectiveness three weeks after the first dose. Two weeks after the second dose, Pfizer's effectiveness was 88%, while AZ's was 60%.

Mary Ramsay, PHE's head of immunization, explained, "Two doses are necessary to maximize protection against existing variants and those that may emerge in the future."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.