Results from first UK real-world study by UKHSA show
significantly increased protection against symptomatic disease
from Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine booster dose in those aged 50 and
above.
These findings show that 2 weeks after receiving a booster dose,
protection against symptomatic infection in adults aged 50 years
and over was 93.1% in those with AstraZeneca as their primary
course and 94.0% for Pfizer-BioNTech.
After a primary course of AstraZeneca and Pfizer-BioNTech
vaccines, effectiveness against symptomatic disease appears to
wear off with time. Overall, vaccine effectiveness against severe
outcomes such as hospital admission remains high for several
months after completing the primary course, but greater waning
has been seen in older adults and those with underlying medical
conditions compared to young, healthy adults. As a result, the
JCVI (Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation)
recommended a booster vaccine programme to eligible groups,
including adults aged 50 years and above on 14 September 2021.
This was extended to adults over 40 on 15 November 2021.
Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at UKHSA, said:
Our findings demonstrate the protection provided by the booster
dose against symptomatic infection in those at highest risk from
developing severe COVID-19. We know that in older age groups,
protection from the first 2 vaccines is beginning to wear off,
leaving millions that need extra protection as we head into
winter.
That is why it is critical that you come forward for your booster
as soon as you become eligible so we can drive down
hospitalisations and deaths over the winter.
