Vaccinated against COVID-19? Great.
Boosted on top of your COVID-19 vaccination? Even better.
Our report on COVID-19 outcomes by vaccination status, which now includes data for March, shows that compared to individuals who were fully vaccinated with a booster, unvaccinated people ages 12 and older had:
- 4.3 times the risk of testing positive for COVID-19;
- 13 times the risk of being being hospitalized from COVID-19; and
- 19 times the risk of dying from COVID-19.
This twice-monthly report also found that compared to fully vaccinated individuals without a booster, an unvaccinated individual had:
- 5.2 times the risk of testing positive for COVID-19;
- 7.4 times the risk of hospitalization from COVID-19; and
- 13 times the risk of dying from COVID-19.
The data continues to show that individuals whose vaccinations are up to date through a booster dose have strong protection from severe outcomes. Meanwhile, those who are vaccinated but not boosted continue to have protection, though to a lesser extent.
You might notice that the ratios for hospitalizations and deaths have dropped from the February report, along with a narrowing difference in outcomes between those vaccinated with a booster dose and those who are vaccinated but haven’t received a booster.
This difference in the March report results in part from the lower number of cases overall, including among those who aren’t vaccinated. The already low rates of infection, hospitalization, and death among those who are fully vaccinated with and without a booster have remained relatively stable. Infection, hospitalization, and death among those who are unvaccinated have dropped over the past month.
Nearly 5.1 million Arizonans have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while nearly 4.4 million are fully vaccinated. Meanwhile, more than 1.7 million people have received a booster dose.
With a substantial majority of Arizonans protected by vaccination, there will be more COVID-19 cases among those who have been vaccinated. However, cases are almost always far less severe when someone is protected by vaccination. Meanwhile, unvaccinated individuals continue to comprise the majority of cases resulting in hospitalization and death.
Boosters are recommended for everyone ages 12 and older at least four months after your primary vaccination series with Moderna or Pfizer or at least two months after the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen shot. Those authorized for a second booster dose should get one at least four months after their first booster.
You’ll find hundreds of convenient providers at azhealth.gov/FindVaccine.
