Simran Saughall (right) administers a booster coronavirus vaccine to Adam Hamilton (left) at a Covid vaccination centre at Elland Road in Leeds
(Picture: PA)Booster vaccinations for Covid prevented over 100,000 hospitalisations during the Omicron wave, according to analysis by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
A study by the UKHSA estimated that some 105,600 people aged 25 and over were not admitted to hospital with the disease as a result of the vaccination programme between December 13, 2021 and February 6, 2022.
The results were gathered by comparing vaccine effectiveness against hospitalisation from boosters with effectiveness from just 2 doses. This data was combined with vaccine coverage across the population and observed hospitalisations during the period.
It is estimated that the boosters directly prevented 87,300 hospitalisations in those aged 65 and over and 14,300 hospitalisations in those aged 45 to 64.
For those aged 25 to 64, both healthy and at-risk individuals were included in the analysis.
Booster jabs have been found to significantly reduce the risk of death from Omicron. The latest UKHSA data showed that protection against death rose for over-50s rose to 95 per cent just two weeks after receiving a booster dose.
A total of 2,612 people were admitted to hospital on December 29 last year at the peak of the Omicron wave – a fall on the 4,583 admitted to hospital on January 12, 2021 during the peak of the Alpha wave. However, the Omicron variant has also been shown to be less severe than Alpha.
The UK’s booster programme progressed at a rapid pace during the festive period, with 968,665 people receiving a third shot on December 21. A total of 37,650,239 booster doses had been given out in the UK as of Wednesday.
Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said: “This analysis provides further strong evidence of the vital protection being provided by the booster vaccine during this Omicron wave.
“Its introduction has and continues to prevent thousands of people from becoming seriously unwell, alleviating pressure on the NHS.”
Health secretary Sajid Javid said: “The hard work of the NHS, armed forces and volunteers to massively ramp up the COVID-19 booster programme has prevented more than 105,000 hospitalisations.
“Thank you to everybody who took part in this incredible national mission which has helped us to turn the tide as we learn to live with COVID-19.”
