CDC: Unvaccinated people 11 times more likely to die from COVID-19

Unvaccinated people were about 11 times more likely to die from COVID-19 and were more than 10 times more likely to be hospitalized for the disease, according to a new CDC study released on Friday.

Why is this important: The Biden administration has now stepped up efforts to control the virus as cases and hospitalizations are largely due to the Delta variant outbreak nationwide.

The study took place between April 4 and July 17.

• The study analyzed vaccine status in 13 US jurisdictions and compared them to their hospitalization rates.

In numbers : Of the 37,948 hospitalizations in the 13 jurisdictions, 2,976 or about 8% were vaccinated.

• Of the 6,748 deaths, 616 or about 9% were fully immunized people.
• Of the 615,454 cases examined by the agency, 46,312, or about 8% of people, were fully immunized.

To note : The CDC also released two more studies today related to the effectiveness of the vaccine, concluding that Moderna remains the most effective vaccine but all vaccines remain effective against the Delta variant.

What they say : “The bottom line is this: we have the scientific tools we need to turn the corner on this pandemic,” CDC director Rochelle Walensky said on Friday during a White House briefing on COVID- 19.

• “Vaccination works and will protect us from the serious complications of COVID-19,” Walensky added.