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03 December 2024 | NewsNew findings link access and acceptance barriers with partial childhood vaccinationRead the full article
Fully vaccinated people were significantly less likely to become seriously ill or die and were better protected from acquiring COVID-19 during the Delta outbreak in NSW, a report from NCIRS and NSW Health has shown.
The findings are highlighted in the latest NSW Health in Focus report which shows hospitalisations, ICU admissions and deaths were all far lower among the fully vaccinated population during the outbreak’s peak.
The report also makes it clear fully vaccinated people were significantly less likely to become infected with COVID-19. “The COVID-19 Delta outbreak has been the biggest challenge we have faced during the pandemic because of its transmissibility. However, this report shows vaccination has been key in protecting ourselves, our families and the community from the harmful effects of the virus,” Dr Kerry Chant, NSW Chief Health Officer, said.
Of the 61,800 locally acquired COVID-19 cases with disease onset from 16 June to 7 October 2021:
ICU admissions and deaths peaked from 8 September to 21 September during the outbreak, with unvaccinated individuals more than 16 times more likely to end up in ICU or die during this period.
Of the 412 people who died in total from 16 June to 7 October 2021, only 11 per cent (47 people) had received two doses of a vaccine. Of these 47 people, their average age was 82 years; 29 of them were residents of aged care facilities; and the other 18 had significant underlying health issues.
COVID-19 cases peaked from 25 August to 7 September, with the rate among fully vaccinated people at 49.5 per 100,000, while in unvaccinated people it was 561 per 100,000, a more than 10-fold difference.
“Notably, young people with two doses of a vaccine experienced lower rates of infection and almost no serious disease, while those unvaccinated in this age group were at greater risk of developing COVID-19 and needing hospitalisation.”
“It is incredibly important people come forward for vaccination as soon as possible, especially young people aged 12 to 15 years old,” Dr Chant said.
Read the full report here