BRITS who have had two Covid jabs are less likely to catch the bug than those who are still unvaccinated, a new study has revealed.
The React study by Imperial College London carried out swab tests on 98,233 volunteers between June 24 and July 12.
Data shows that one in 160 people now have the virus across England, this is compared to one in 63 people at the start of the year.
Millions of vaccines have now been rolled out across the country and while no jab is 100 per cent effective, they have been proven to prevent death and serious hospitalisation from the bug.
So far in the UK over 46.8 million Brits have had a first dose of a vaccine, with 38.5 million also having had a second.
The data, analysed by experts at Imperial College London, also found that double vaccinated people are also less likely to pass on the virus to others.
Unvaccinated people were three times more likely than fully vaccinated people to test positive for Covid-19.
It comes as:
- UK Covid deaths highest in 5 months as 138 fatalities recorded in 24 hours but daily cases drop for fifth day in a row
- Stark lung X-rays reveal the difference Covid vaccines really make
- New data shows the five worst hit Covid areas and the spots where nobody has died
- Recent heatwave not Covid blamed for excess deaths – as temps set to rise again
- Scots will have to carry on wearing face masks for ‘some time’ in pubs and schools, says Sturgeon, as she ends lockdown
Those who have been doubled jabbed were estimated to have around 50 to 60 per cent reduced risk of infection, including asymptomatic infection, compared to unvaccinated people.
Data from PHE previously found that the Pfizer jab is 96 per cent effective and the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is 92 per cent effective against hospitalisation after both doses.
However it was previously found that the Pfizer jab is ‘less effective’ at stopping cases of the Delta variant.
Professor Paul Elliott, director of the REACT programme from Imperial’s School of Public Health highlighted that the findings confirm previous data that shows that both doses offer good protection against getting infected.
He added: “However we can also see that there is still a risk of infection, as no vaccine is 100 per cent effective, and we know that some double vaccinated people can still become ill from the virus.
“So even with the easing of restrictions, we should still act with caution to help protect one another and curb the rate of infections.”
Of the 98,233 swabs taken, 527 people tested positive.
The highest number of infections were seen in London, with 0.94 per cent of those testing having a positive test result, up from 0.13 per cent in the previous round.
The experts did however add that towards the end of the study, infection rates had started to drop off.
The last set of Covid restrictions were lifted on July 19, and the data from REACT goes up to July 12 – so it’s not yet clear what the impact of the easing of restrictions has been.
During a press briefing, Prof Steven Riley, infectious disease expert at Imperial said the UK would “learn a lot in September and October”.
He explained: “The UK is different from what we would say is ‘normal’. We will learn more in the Autumn from the vaccinated population and from those who have natural immunity through previous infection.”
The experts said that 3.84 per cent of double jabbed people who reported contact with someone who had a known case of Covid had tested positive – this is compared to 7.23 per cent of un-vaccinated individuals.
The data stated that one in 25 people who have been double jabbed and had tested positive for Covid had been in contact with someone who had the virus.
The experts added that Delta has taken over in England and that although the vaccines are effective, “if there were the possibility of making it more effective then that would be a good thing”.
Experts also addressed hospitalisations, and the weakening relationship between hospital cases and infections.
Since mid-April, the experts said there are signs of the relationship between infections and hospitalisations coming back together, but that more time is needed to understand what this means and to identify any trends.
Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid added: “Our vaccination rollout is building a wall of defence that means we can carefully ease restrictions and get back to the things we love, but we need to be cautious as we learn to live with this virus.
“Today’s report shows the importance of taking personal responsibility by self-isolating if you are contact traced, getting tested if you have symptoms and wearing face coverings where appropriate.
“I urge anyone who has yet to receive a vaccine to get jabbed and take up both doses – the vaccines are safe and they are working.”
