Fully-vaccinated people have been significantly less likely to become seriously ill or die during the COVID-19 Delta outbreak in the State, according to a new report from NSW Health.
Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant said NSW Health’s latest In Focus Report found that hospitalisations, ICU admissions and deaths were all far lower among the fully vaccinated population during the outbreak’s peak.
Dr Chant said the Report also made it clear that fully-vaccinated people were significantly less likely to become infected with COVID-19.
“The COVID-19 Delta outbreak has been the biggest challenge the State has faced during the pandemic because of its transmissibility,” she said.
“However, this Report shows vaccination has been key in protecting ourselves, our families and the community from the harmful effects of the virus.
“COVID-19 cases peaked from 25 August to 7 September, with the rate among fully vaccinated people at 49.5 per 100,000, while in unvaccinated people it was 561 per 100,000, a more than 10-fold difference.”
Dr Chant said young people who had received two doses of a vaccine experienced lower rates of infection and almost no serious disease, while those in the same age group who were unvaccinated were at greater risk of developing COVID-19 and needing hospitalisation.
The Chief Health Officer said of the 61,800 locally acquired COVID-19 cases from 16 June to 7 October, the majority of cases (63.1 per cent) had received no vaccine; 9.2 per cent had received one dose; and 6.1 per cent of cases had received two doses of vaccine.
She said of the 8,660 cases hospitalised, only 5.7 per cent (493) had received two doses of a vaccine and just 3.0 per cent (30) of the 1,015 cases who were admitted to ICU were fully vaccinated.
“Twenty-six of these 30 people had significant underlying health conditions,” she said.
“ICU admissions and deaths peaked from 8 September to 21 September during the outbreak, with unvaccinated individuals more than 16 times more likely to end up in ICU or die during this period.”
Dr Chant said of the 412 people who died from 16 June to 7 October, only 11 per cent (47 people) had received two doses of a vaccine and their average age was 82.
She said 29 people were residents of aged care facilities and the other 18 people had significant underlying health issues.
NSW Health’s 11-page Report can be accessed at this PS News link.
