Exciting results from a study in Great Britain show that even one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine can dramatically reduce hospital admissions for the elderly. The Guardian writes:
By the fourth week after receiving the initial dose, the Pfizer and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines had reduced the risk of hospitalisation from Covid-19 by up to 85% and 94% respectively, according to a study by Scottish universities and Public Health Scotland.
The Washington Post reports the “real-world” studies, instead of clinical trials, are beginning to have a positive impact on the pandemic.
The Scottish researchers analyzed a data set covering the entire Scottish population of 5.4 million, of which 1.1 million people — about 20 percent of the population — have received a first dose of the Pfizer or Oxford vaccine. Then they compared the vaccinated against the unvaccinated, and they saw strong evidence of protection.
The Post reports that from December through February more than 8000 people were hospitalized in Scotland with Covid, but only 58 of those patients came from the vaccinated group.
