55% of UK population vaccinated, 60% of hospital admissions are double vaccinated.
"Hospitalisation data not a reason to doubt the vaccine
Analysis by Thomas Moore, science correspondent
The majority of people in hospital with COVID right now have been fully vaccinated.
That will be a surprise to many people, despite the reassurance of the chief scientist Sir Patrick Vallance that it's to be expected.
But he's right.
Firstly, two doses of the Pfizer jab are 96% effective at preventing hospitalisation. For the AstraZeneca shot the figure is 92%.
So while the protection is high, it's not 100%.
Secondly, the older you are the more likely it is that you will end up seriously ill if you get COVID.
So if the virus does break through the protective barrier of the vaccine you are still more likely to end up in hospital if you are over 50.
It's not a reason to doubt the vaccine.
But it is a reason for everyone to get the jab and reduce levels of the virus spreading through the community. That would mean there's less risk to double-vaccinated, older people.
The good news is that the death rate is still much lower than in previous waves - about one in 1000 infections leads to death now, compared to around one in 50 in January. That's partly down to the vaccine, but also better drug treatment for those in hospital.
So even if double-vaccinated people are still ending up in hospital, they stand a much better chance of survival."
55% of UK population vaccinated, 60% of hospital admissions are double vaccinated.
"Hospitalisation data not a reason to doubt the vaccine Analysis by Thomas Moore, science correspondent
The majority of people in hospital with COVID right now have been fully vaccinated.
That will be a surprise to many people, despite the reassurance of the chief scientist Sir Patrick Vallance that it's to be expected.
But he's right.
Firstly, two doses of the Pfizer jab are 96% effective at preventing hospitalisation. For the AstraZeneca shot the figure is 92%.
So while the protection is high, it's not 100%.
Secondly, the older you are the more likely it is that you will end up seriously ill if you get COVID.
So if the virus does break through the protective barrier of the vaccine you are still more likely to end up in hospital if you are over 50.
It's not a reason to doubt the vaccine.
But it is a reason for everyone to get the jab and reduce levels of the virus spreading through the community. That would mean there's less risk to double-vaccinated, older people.
The good news is that the death rate is still much lower than in previous waves - about one in 1000 infections leads to death now, compared to around one in 50 in January. That's partly down to the vaccine, but also better drug treatment for those in hospital.
So even if double-vaccinated people are still ending up in hospital, they stand a much better chance of survival."
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