The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a new study that is focused on finding out which of the three U.S.-approved COVID-19 vaccines is the most effective in preventing hospitalizations, ICU visits, or intubation of patients who contracted the disease.
According to the study results, the Moderna vaccine was slightly more effective in preventing hospitalizations against Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson. The study had a sample population size of 32,000 patients treated in hospitals in nine U.S. states.
The CDC studied the data over the summer and determined that Moderna was the most effective against hospitalization. Accordingly, Moderna vaccine recipients showed 95 percent protection, Pfizer vaccine recipients showed 80 percent protection, and Johnson & Johnson vaccine recipients showed 60 percent protection. In total, the three vaccines proved an 86 percent effectiveness rate in preventing hospitalization.
The CDC study did not state what makes the Moderna vaccine more effective than the two other vaccines. It is believed that because there is a longer interval between the two shots of administering the Moderna doses, this may be what causes it to be more effective. Researchers from other studies said that the longer intervals between shots could be an advantage in developing immunity against the virus.
In the published study, the researchers concluded, “These findings reaffirm the high protection of COVID-19 vaccines against moderate and severe COVID-19 resulting in ED, UC, and hospital visits and underscore the importance of full COVID-19 vaccination and continued benefits of COVID-19 vaccination during Delta variant predominance.” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky also reiterated the need to get vaccinated in her latest White House COVID-19 briefing. She noted, “The bottom line is this: We have the scientific tools we need to turn the corner on this pandemic. Vaccination works and will protect us from the severe complications of COVID-19.”
