Are COVID-19 vaccines effective?
Short answer is yes. Not perfect, but yes.
A UK backed study called SIREN is the world’s biggest study into COVID- 19 antibodies and regularly tests a large cohort of healthcare workers to answer the most important questions about the virus.
The latest paper focuses on the protection provided against COVID- 19 infection in those who have had 2 doses of the vaccine, as well as those who have previously been infected with COVID-19.
The results show that 2 doses of vaccine provide significant short-term protection against infection among those who had not had a previous infection – but that this protection wanes significantly after 6 months.
Analysis was also carried out on participants, both unvaccinated and vaccinated, who had been previously infected with COVID-19.
Unvaccinated participants who had been previously infected with COVID-19 were found to have 86% reduced risk of reinfection. This protection waned to 69% after a year.
Dual protection in people who had been previously infected and subsequently double vaccinated was even greater and more durable, standing at over 90% after 2 doses. This protection remained strong over a year after infection and over 6 months following vaccination.
Susan Hopkins, SIREN study lead and Chief Medical Advisor at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said:
“This research demonstrates why it is crucial to get vaccinated, as it provides a significantly greater level of protection against infection from COVID-19, whether or not you have been previously infected.
However, the analysis also clearly shows that this protection from just 2 doses wanes significantly within months, which is why the rollout of booster jabs has been an instrumental part of our efforts to contain COVID-19.
To avoid infection and illness, it is vital that everyone eligible takes up the offer of a booster as soon as it is offered.”
More information here.
