Pfizer vaccine can reduce hospitalizations and deaths from COVID by 75%

Early-stage UK vaccine deployment data appears to show COVID-related hospitalization and deaths reduced by more than 75% in people with Pfizer vaccine

As the UK looks forward to a potential summer back to pre-lockdown times, the first statistics on live vaccines have been released. Currently, 17,723,840 people have been vaccinated.

Pfizer vaccine still works to stop deaths

It appears that those vaccinated are much less likely to be hospitalized or die from COVID, with those chances reduced by more than 75% by the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

One dose appears to be able to reduce the chances of infection by over 70%, which drops to 85% when both doses are taken.

When vaccinated with a dose of Pfizer, those 80 and over are at risk of dying.

Can he stop the mutations?

Yes and no.

The vaccine appears to remain effective against the Kent mutation of COVID-19. It has less of an impact on the South African mutation, which can still spread among those vaccinated. This is due to a peak mutation that makes it eight times more infectious than the original COVID-19 virus. This improved spike protein is seen across several variants and is quickly becoming a suitable feature for the virus in general.

But luckily for us, the South African mutation usually cannot kill or hospitalize people who have the Pfizer vaccine.

“The protection is not complete”

Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunization at Public Health England (PHE), said: ‘This is strong evidence that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine prevents people from becoming infected, while protecting cases against the hospitalization and death. We’ll see a lot more data in the weeks and months to come, but we should be very encouraged by these early results.

“But protection is not complete and we do not yet know to what extent these vaccines will reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19 to others. So even though you have been vaccinated, it is really important that you continue to act like you have the virus, have good hand hygiene and stay home.

The race is now on for virologists to stop mutations from becoming the common form of COVID-19.

The Pfizer-BioNTech uses mRNA technology, making it one of the first mRNA vaccines to be approved for widespread use. For our explainer on what this really means, watch how mRNA technology is revolutionizing the fight against cancer.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “This crucial report shows that vaccines work – it is extremely encouraging to see evidence that the Pfizer vaccine offers a high degree of protection against the coronavirus.”