Tessa Quinn
The Omicron variant of COVID-19 has been associated with increased transmissibility and a decrease in the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. However, data from the US shows that unvaccinated people were far more likely to be hospitalized during the Omicron wave. For instance, in the first week of December 2021, unvaccinated adults were nearly 25 times more likely to be hospitalized than vaccinated adults. Similarly, in King County, Washington, unvaccinated people were 13 times more likely to be hospitalized than fully vaccinated people. While the current vaccines are targeted at the Omicron variant, federal data shows that COVID-19 hospitalizations are not limited to the typical respiratory virus season, and older adults remain at high risk of hospitalization from infection during the summer months.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vaccination status of those hospitalised with Omicron | A range of sources state that unvaccinated people were more likely to be hospitalised with Omicron than those who were vaccinated. |
| Omicron symptoms | Cough, sore throat, fever, respiratory symptoms, and extrapulmonary symptoms. Pneumonia was also observed in some patients. |
| Severity of Omicron | During the Omicron wave in South Africa, fewer hospitalisations and a decrease in severity and mortality were observed. |
| Omicron infecting vaccinated people | Many vaccinated people were infected with Omicron, especially during the Omicron surge. |
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What You'll Learn
- Unvaccinated people are more likely to be hospitalised with Omicron
- Vaccinated people are less likely to be hospitalised with Omicron
- Vaccinated people can still be hospitalised with Omicron
- Vaccination reduces the risk of severe illness, hospitalisation and death
- Vaccination is especially important for those aged 65 and older
Unvaccinated people are more likely to be hospitalised with Omicron
The Omicron variant of COVID-19 has been associated with increased transmissibility and a decrease in the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. However, data shows that unvaccinated individuals are significantly more likely to be hospitalised with Omicron compared to those who are vaccinated and boosted.
During the Omicron wave in the United States, unvaccinated adults were reported to be up to 25 times more likely to be hospitalised compared to vaccinated adults. In King County, Washington, for example, unvaccinated individuals were 13 times more likely to require hospitalisation for COVID-19. Similarly, in Georgia, the unvaccinated population was 10 times more likely to be hospitalised with COVID-19 than those who had received a booster shot.
The disparity in hospitalisation rates is even more pronounced when comparing unvaccinated individuals to those with booster shots. In the week before Christmas, data from 12 states showed that unvaccinated people aged 50 to 64 were 32 times more likely to be hospitalised than their boosted counterparts. The situation in North Dakota further emphasises this gap, with unvaccinated and partially vaccinated individuals twice as likely to be hospitalised compared to those who were fully vaccinated, and the gap widening to three times when comparing to those with booster shots.
The trend of higher hospitalisation rates among the unvaccinated is also observed globally. During an Omicron outbreak in a single hospital in Korea, 70.2% of the infected patients were fully vaccinated, while the remaining 29.8% were either unvaccinated or partially vaccinated. This suggests that vaccination, including booster shots, plays a crucial role in reducing the risk of severe illness and hospitalisation due to the Omicron variant.
It is important to note that the risk of hospitalisation from COVID-19 infection is not limited to respiratory virus seasons. Older adults, in particular, remain at high risk of hospitalisation from May through September. Therefore, staying up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines is crucial for all eligible individuals, especially those in vulnerable categories, to ensure the best protection against severe illness, hospitalisation, and potential long-term health complications.
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Vaccinated people are less likely to be hospitalised with Omicron
Vaccination has been proven to reduce the likelihood of hospitalisation in the event of a COVID-19 infection, especially during the Omicron wave. Unvaccinated people were more likely to be hospitalised during the Omicron wave, with data showing that they were 83 times more likely to be hospitalised compared to those who had received a booster shot. This is supported by data from North Dakota, which showed that unvaccinated and partially vaccinated people were twice as likely to be hospitalised compared to those who were fully vaccinated, with the gap increasing to three times for those with boosters.
The Omicron variant, first detected in the US in December 2021, caused a significant spike in COVID-19 cases. However, vaccinated individuals were much less likely to be hospitalised. For example, in King County, Washington, unvaccinated people were 13 times more likely to be hospitalised than those who were fully vaccinated. Similarly, in Georgia, unvaccinated individuals and those who had only received one vaccine dose were ten times more likely to be hospitalised than those who had received a booster shot.
The Omicron variant is the most heavily mutated version of SARS-CoV-2, which has resulted in increased transmissibility and a decrease in the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. Despite this, the vaccines still provide protection against serious complications and hospitalisation. The 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines are updated to offer the best protection against currently circulating strains, including variants descended from Omicron, such as NB.1.8.1.
It is important to note that vaccine protection does wane over time, and immunity decreases after a COVID-19 infection. Therefore, staying up-to-date with vaccinations is crucial, especially for those aged 65 and older or those at high risk for severe COVID-19. The CDC recommends the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine for most adults aged 18 and older, even for those who have previously been infected or vaccinated.
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Vaccinated people can still be hospitalised with Omicron
While the COVID-19 vaccines have been an effective measure in reducing the risk of severe illness, hospitalisation, and death, the emergence of new variants, such as Omicron, has posed new challenges. It is important to recognise that even vaccinated individuals can still be hospitalised with the Omicron variant.
The Omicron variant, designated as a variant of concern by the World Health Organization in November 2021, rapidly spread worldwide, including in Korea and South Africa. During the Omicron wave, hospitalisations increased for everyone, regardless of vaccination status. However, data consistently shows that unvaccinated individuals faced a significantly higher risk of hospitalisation compared to their vaccinated counterparts.
For instance, in the first week of December 2021, when Omicron was first detected in the US, unvaccinated adults were approximately 25 times more likely to be hospitalised than vaccinated adults. Similarly, in King County, Washington, unvaccinated individuals were 13 times more likely to be hospitalised. Additionally, in the week ending January 15, 0.6% of unvaccinated individuals were hospitalised with COVID-19 in New York City, compared to just 0.02% of vaccinated individuals.
The impact of booster shots cannot be understated. During the Omicron surge, individuals who received booster shots experienced even lower rates of hospitalisation. In the 14-day period ending on December 11, hospitalisations were 83 times higher for unvaccinated individuals compared to those with booster shots. Furthermore, in the week before Christmas, unvaccinated people aged 50 to 64 were 32 times more likely to be hospitalised than those with booster shots.
While vaccinated people are generally less likely to be hospitalised, it is important to acknowledge that vaccination does not eliminate the risk entirely. The highly mutated nature of the Omicron variant led to a decrease in vaccine effectiveness, resulting in breakthrough infections and, in some cases, hospitalisations among vaccinated individuals. However, it is worth noting that the available vaccines still provide protection against serious complications from COVID-19, especially for adults aged 65 and older.
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Vaccination reduces the risk of severe illness, hospitalisation and death
Vaccination has been proven to reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalisation, and death from COVID-19. This remains true even with the emergence of new variants, such as the Omicron variant, and its descendants, NB.1.8.1 and LP.8.1.
During the Omicron wave, unvaccinated people were far more likely to be hospitalised compared to those who were fully vaccinated and boosted. In the first week of December 2021, when Omicron was first detected in the US, unvaccinated adults were approximately 25 times more likely to require hospitalisation than vaccinated adults. In King County, Washington, unvaccinated individuals were 13 times more likely to be hospitalised than their vaccinated counterparts. Similar trends were observed in other states, such as North Dakota and Georgia, where unvaccinated and partially vaccinated individuals were twice as likely to be hospitalised compared to those who were fully vaccinated.
The Omicron variant, first detected in South Africa, exhibited distinct patterns of clinical characteristics and prognosis, with younger patients being infected, lower hospitalisation rates, reduced pneumonia development, and decreased severity and mortality. This trend was also observed in a hospital in Korea, where, of the 181 patients infected with the Omicron variant, only 3.3% required low-flow oxygen, and 2.8% required high-flow oxygen.
Vaccination is especially crucial for individuals aged 65 and older, those with pre-existing health conditions, and pregnant people, as they are more susceptible to severe COVID-19 and its associated complications. COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy has been shown to confer protective immunity to newborns through antibodies in the placenta and breast milk.
While the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines primarily target the Omicron variant's JN.1 lineage, they are updated regularly to offer the best protection against circulating strains. Lower vaccination rates and waning immunity from previous doses can contribute to surges in cases and hospitalisations. Therefore, staying up-to-date with the recommended vaccinations is essential to maintaining protection against COVID-19 and its variants.
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Vaccination is especially important for those aged 65 and older
Vaccination is a crucial step in safeguarding oneself from severe illnesses, hospitalisation, and death. While this is a general recommendation for everyone, it assumes greater significance for individuals aged 65 and older. This age group is particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of infections, and hence, vaccination serves as a protective shield against serious health risks.
The immune system's strength tends to wane with advancing age, making older adults more susceptible to infections and experiencing more severe symptoms. Vaccines act as a defence mechanism, training the body to recognise and combat specific viruses, thereby reducing the likelihood of contracting the disease or minimising its impact. This proactive approach is especially advantageous for those aged 65 and above, as it helps prevent overwhelming their immune system and requiring hospitalisation.
For older adults, the flu vaccine is of utmost importance. The CDC recommends that individuals aged 65 and older receive a higher-dose flu vaccine or an adjuvanted flu vaccine. The latter contains an additional substance called an adjuvant, which enhances the immune response, making the vaccine more effective for this age group. The flu vaccine is specifically designed to mitigate the heightened risks associated with the flu for older adults, reducing the chances of severe illness or hospitalisation.
Moreover, the COVID-19 vaccine is another critical layer of protection for this age bracket. Data from the Omicron variant surge revealed that unvaccinated individuals faced significantly higher risks of hospitalisation compared to their vaccinated counterparts, especially those who had received the COVID-19 booster shot. The COVID-19 vaccine remains essential for older adults, even with the emergence of new variants like NB.1.8.1, a descendant of Omicron. While this new variant has drifted from the version targeted by the 2024-2025 vaccines, the available shots can still offer protection against severe complications, emphasising the ongoing importance of vaccination for those aged 65 and older.
Additionally, the CDC and FDA have approved a vaccine for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) for individuals over 60. RSV is a common respiratory virus that can pose a serious threat to older adults, particularly those with heart or lung conditions. Decisions regarding the RSV vaccine should be made in consultation with a healthcare provider, considering individual circumstances and risks.
In conclusion, vaccination is especially important for those aged 65 and older as it offers a robust defence against severe illnesses and helps prevent hospitalisation. By staying up-to-date with recommended vaccines, older adults can effectively safeguard their health and well-being, ensuring a healthier ageing process.
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Frequently asked questions
Data shows that unvaccinated people are more likely to be hospitalized from the Omicron variant.
During the week ending January 15, 0.6% of all unvaccinated people were hospitalized with COVID-19, compared with 0.02% of all vaccinated people.
Yes, data from various states in the US shows that vaccinated people are hospitalized at lower rates than unvaccinated people.
Yes, federal data shows that the risk of hospitalization from COVID-19 infection for older adults remains high from May through September. Vaccination is especially important for this age group.
Yes, a new variant called NB.1.8.1 has been detected in the US. It is a descendant of the Omicron variant and has several mutations that make it more transmissible.
