It is known and proven that the vaccines against Corona have saved lives. But how long does its effect last? A new study provides information.
The vaccines against the coronavirus came early and were vaccinated billions of times. Now studies are showing its effectiveness.
A study published in September counted 2.2 million pandemic-related deaths in the Euroregion. Without the vaccines, the number could have been well over four million, the study says.
The study, which covers 34 countries, shows a 59 percent reduction in deaths. The vaccinations were particularly effective in people aged 60 and over. Here the rate of reduced deaths was highest and was around 96 percent.
But how long do the effects of the vaccines last? The vaccines should primarily protect against serious illnesses and they keep this promise. However, apparently not as long as previously assumed.
In Germany, the Standing Vaccination Commission recommends an annual booster vaccination for all people over 60 years of age, as well as residents of nursing homes, immunocompromised people and those with previous illnesses, nursing staff and people who care for a family member.
An infection with the virus can still have fatal consequences. Epidemiologist at the WHO Regional Office for Europe, Mark Katz, author of the new study, explains: “This message remains relevant: Covid-19 continues to lead to hospitalizations and deaths, predominantly among high-risk people.”
“We found that in the countries in the eastern part of the European region where different types of Covid-19 vaccines were used, the vaccines were very effective in preventing severe outcomes over a six-month period […] such as preventing hospitalizations and deaths.”
Study co-author Silvia Bino also emphasizes that the vaccines were effective in reducing hospitalizations and serious outcomes such as intensive care unit admissions and deaths in the first six months after vaccination.
However, she warns: “The effectiveness of the vaccine did not last longer than six months – a result that has been demonstrated in a number of other Covid-19 studies around the world.” Therefore, high-risk people should keep an eye on their vaccination status.
The WHO study therefore recommends that people who are at increased risk of a severe course – older adults, chronically ill people and/or immunocompromised people – get vaccinated against both flu and Covid-19 in the fall and six to twelve months later to renew the vaccination protection after the last dose.