January data makes strong argument for getting that COVID-19 booster dose

As we offer our first weekly COVID-19 Data Dashboard update, showing a continuing decline in cases and other metrics, I want to call attention to some critically important information in two reports linked atop the dashboard:

Booster doses dramatically increase protection against COVID-19, including the Omicron variant.

Our twice-monthly report on COVID-19 outcomes by vaccination status, which includes data from January when Omicron was firmly established as the dominant variant, now looks at the impact of booster doses on COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and death.

During January, compared to individuals who were fully vaccinated with a booster, unvaccinated people ages 18 and older had:

11 times the risk of testing positive for COVID-19;
67 times the risk of being being hospitalized from COVID-19; and
180 times the risk of dying from COVID-19.

Comparing unvaccinated individuals to those who were fully vaccinated without a booster also demonstrates the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination. During January, the former had:

1.3 times the risk of testing positive for COVID-19;
4.1 times the risk of hospitalization from COVID-19; and
7.2 times the risk of dying from COVID-19.

We’ve also added January data to our twice-monthly COVID-19 variant sequencing report, showing that the Omicron variant started the month with a 96% share and ended with a 98% share.

Vaccines continue to offer strong protection against severe COVID-19 outcomes, but these reports make the strongest possible argument for safe, free, and highly effective booster doses. Research shows that COVID-19 vaccine protection wanes over time, especially in people 65 years and older, and that boosters do a great job of increasing your immune response to protect against COVID-19..

Boosters are recommended for everyone ages 12 and older at least five months after your primary vaccination series with Moderna or Pfizer and at least two months after the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen shot. Boosters are especially important for older individuals and others with weakened immune systems, but everyone stands to benefit.

If you aren’t already boosted, please find a convenient provider at azhealth.gov/FindVaccine and update your protection as soon as possible.

By Don Herrington|2022-03-02T11:51:08-07:00March 2nd, 2022|Preparedness|Comments Off

About the Author: Don Herrington

Don Herrington, Interim Director, has been with ADHS since 2000. During this time he has served as the State’s Food Safety Manager, the Office Chief of Environmental Health, Bureau Chief of Epidemiology and Disease Control Services, Acting Assistant Director for Public Health Preparedness, Assistant Director for Public Health Preparedness. Herrington is currently the department’s Deputy Director for Planning and Operations. In this role he oversees policy development, hiring professional and support staff and the department’s budget. During his time in public health, Herrington has served on numerous councils, commissions and committees on behalf of the Director of ADHS, including Chair of the Arizona Sanitarians’ Council, Chair of the Arizona Infection Prevention and Control Advisory Committee, and as one of five voting members of the Arizona Emergency Response Commission.