Hailey Tran
The Omicron variant of Covid-19 has affected both vaccinated and unvaccinated populations in Australia. Official public health data from late 2021 suggests that the Omicron variant is milder than the common cold among the unvaccinated population but has more severe effects on the triple vaccinated population. While the number of hospitalizations among the vaccinated and unvaccinated populations remained stable until the week of December 25, hospitalizations nearly doubled among the vaccinated compared to the previous week, while hospitalizations among the unvaccinated population increased by just 25%.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 20th November 2021 to 26th November 2021 |
| Vaccinated Population | 11,399 cases |
| Unvaccinated Population | 6,633 cases |
| Date | 18th December 2021 to 24th December 2021 |
| Vaccinated Population | 49,955 cases |
| Unvaccinated Population | 9,070 cases |
| Week of 25th December 2021 | Hospitalisations nearly doubled among the vaccinated compared to the previous week |
| Hospitalisations increased by 25% among the unvaccinated | |
| Omicron Covid-19 Variant | No worse than the common cold among the unvaccinated population |
| Omicron Covid-19 Variant | Affecting the triple vaccinated population more severely |
| Vaccinated Population | Accounted for 7 in every 10 hospitalisations |
| Victoria | 299 patients hospitalised with Covid-19 |
| Victoria | 43 active cases in the intensive care unit |
| Victoria | 18 patients requiring ventilators |
| NSW | 5.2% of people in the hospital with Covid-19 were fully vaccinated |
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What You'll Learn
Omicron impact on unvaccinated vs double vaccinated
Official public health data suggests that the Omicron variant is no more severe than the common cold among the unvaccinated population. However, the Omicron variant appears to be affecting the triple vaccinated population more severely. Since November 2021, the vaccinated population has accounted for 8 in 10 cases, 7 in 10 hospitalisations, and 8 in 10 Covid-19 deaths, despite the booster jab campaign.
Until the week commencing December 25, hospitalisations among the vaccinated and unvaccinated populations remained relatively stable. After that, hospitalisations nearly doubled among the vaccinated compared to the previous week, while increasing by just 25% among the unvaccinated. Since then, the majority of Covid-19 hospitalisations have been among the triple vaccinated, with cases among this group increasing week on week since December 4, 2021.
A study of 570 hospitalised patients, including 328 vaccinated and 242 unvaccinated individuals, found that unvaccinated Covid-19 patients experienced a higher number and longer duration of symptoms than vaccinated patients. Additionally, there was no significant effect of vaccine types or shot numbers on PCR-Ct values in the Omicron wave. Lower CRP levels were observed during the Omicron wave compared to the Delta wave, regardless of vaccination status.
While the Omicron variant is thought to cause less severe illness in some cases, its high transmissibility could still result in more hospitalisations. Experts warn that the peak of the current surge is yet to come, and the impact on healthcare staff is already being felt, with many out sick or in isolation.
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COVID-19 hospitalisations in Australia
According to official public health data, the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is no more severe than the common cold for unvaccinated individuals. However, it appears to be affecting the triple-vaccinated population more severely. Since November 2021, the vaccinated population has accounted for 7 in 10 hospitalisations, despite the booster jab campaign.
Hospitalisations among the vaccinated and unvaccinated populations remained relatively stable until the week commencing December 25, 2021. During that week, hospitalisations nearly doubled among the vaccinated compared to the previous week, while increasing by just 25% among the unvaccinated. Since then, the majority of COVID-19 hospitalisations have been among the triple-vaccinated, with a steady increase in hospitalisations since December 4, 2021.
In January 2022, COVID-19 hospitalisations in Australia rose even as new cases dipped. On January 2, the national tally of new cases was over 32,000, a decrease from the previous day's record of 35,327. However, hospitalisations continued to rise. Similarly, in July 2022, South Australia reported a surge in COVID-19 hospitalisations as new Omicron variants spread across the state. On Monday, SA Health reported 306 people in the hospital with COVID-19, an increase of over 70 since the previous Thursday, marking the first time the number had exceeded 300.
While the Omicron variant appears to cause less severe illness in unvaccinated individuals, it is important to consider the overall impact on healthcare systems. High case numbers, even if mostly mild, can still lead to increased hospitalisations and strain on healthcare resources. Public health measures, including vaccinations, boosters, masks, and working from home, remain crucial in reducing the spread of the virus and easing pressure on healthcare systems.
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Death rates among double-vaccinated
Australia has experienced a significant wave of COVID-19 deaths, despite high vaccination rates. Official government reports suggest that COVID-19 vaccinations may have contributed to an alarming number of excess deaths in the country between January and July 2022. During this period, Australia recorded nearly 19,000 excess deaths, with official statistics indicating that COVID-19 vaccinations played a role.
Data from the Our World in Data (OWID) website revealed that Australia's high vaccination rate of nearly 90% did not prevent a surge in COVID-19 deaths. This has led to concerns that the COVID-19 injections may be making recipients more susceptible to infections.
In March 2022, the vaccinated population accounted for a substantial proportion of COVID-19 deaths in New South Wales (NSW). The double-vaccinated group recorded the highest number of COVID-19 deaths, with 92 fatalities. The triple-vaccinated population followed closely with 67 deaths, and there was even one death among the quadruple-vaccinated individuals. Overall, the vaccinated population constituted 84.2% of all COVID-19 deaths in NSW during that month.
Additionally, age-specific data revealed that in January, double-vaccinated individuals in the 60-69 age group were 223% more likely to die compared to their unvaccinated counterparts. This trend persisted across other age groups, including children, indicating an increased risk of death associated with COVID-19 vaccinations.
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Effectiveness of AstraZeneca vaccine
As of 2022, more than 503 million people have contracted COVID-19, with around 6,220,970 fatalities. In response, many companies have developed vaccines to combat the virus, including the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine, AZD1222).
The AstraZeneca vaccine is a traditional live-attenuated vaccine that stimulates a specific immune response. While it does not prevent vaccinated individuals from contracting COVID-19, it does decrease the severity of the illness. The vaccine has an efficacy of 88% after two doses, and it is also quite affordable at $4 a shot.
A study conducted in North-West London between January 12, 2021, and March 9, 2021, found that after receiving two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, the number of COVID-19-related deaths decreased from 25/1000 to around 2/1000. Another case-control study of 150,000 adults aged 70 and above between December 2020 and February 2021 concluded that AstraZeneca was better at decreasing the chance of contracting COVID-19 for the elderly population when compared to the Pfizer vaccine.
AstraZeneca has faced some challenges and controversies regarding its vaccine's effectiveness. In March 2021, the company released data claiming that their vaccine was 79% effective in preventing the disease and even better at preventing hospitalizations and deaths. However, these results were questioned by a review panel at the NIH, who believed that AstraZeneca was cherry-picking its results. The company then updated its data, finding that the vaccine was still safe and effective but slightly less effective than initially believed, with a 76% efficacy.
Despite these controversies, the AstraZeneca vaccine is widely used globally, especially in Europe, and it remains a crucial tool in the fight against COVID-19.
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Healthcare workers and vaccination
Vaccination of healthcare workers in Australia has been a priority since the beginning of the pandemic. The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) has recommended mandatory vaccinations for all workers in healthcare settings, including public and private health facilities. This is to protect the public, staff, and patients in these settings. The AHPPC has noted that vaccinated individuals are less likely to spread the virus and that unvaccinated people dominate community transmission.
Despite the priority given to healthcare workers, there have been challenges with the vaccine rollout for this group. There have been access and booking issues, with limited vaccine supply and difficulties with the booking system. Private healthcare workers, in particular, have faced challenges in accessing vaccinations. The peak body for doctors in Australia, the Australian Medical Association (AMA), has advocated for improved access for private healthcare workers, as they are at high risk of infection and play a crucial role in patient care.
To address these issues, the Australian government has implemented measures to facilitate the vaccination of healthcare workers. The federal government is responsible for accessing and delivering the vaccines, while state and territory governments administer them. State governments have established vaccine hubs and clinics to provide vaccinations for healthcare workers, in addition to the option of receiving vaccinations at general practices.
In Western Australia, COVID-19 vaccination has become mandatory for healthcare workers to access healthcare facilities. The Chief Health Officer approved the Restrictions on Access Directions (HWAD), denying unvaccinated workers across tier one, two, and three facilities access to their workplaces. This approach ensures that healthcare workers who interact with vulnerable populations are vaccinated.
Overall, the vaccination of healthcare workers in Australia has been a key focus, with efforts made to ensure their priority access to vaccines. While there have been challenges, the benefits of a highly vaccinated healthcare workforce are significant in minimizing transmission and protecting both staff and patients.
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Frequently asked questions
As of October 2021, 5.2% of people in NSW hospitals with COVID-19 were fully vaccinated. However, official public health data from November 2021 suggests that the Omicron variant is affecting the triple vaccinated population more severely, with 7 in every 10 hospitalisations being vaccinated individuals.
As of December 2021, 90% of Australians aged 16 and over were vaccinated, and the rollout of boosters had begun.
Official public health data suggests that the Omicron variant is no worse than the common cold among the unvaccinated population. However, the data also shows that hospitalisations among the triple vaccinated population have increased week on week since December 4, 2021, putting pressure on hospitals.
