In the past 8 weeks, from 29 June to 23 August 2022, people aged 12 years and older who had the booster jab had a 51% lower risk of hospital admission than people who only received the basic series of COVID-19 vaccinations, which is a relative risk difference (RRD) of -51%. This means that the risk of hospital admission after a booster jab was about two times lower during this period, compared to people who only received the basic series of vaccinations. The risk of hospital admission for people aged 60 years and older who had the repeat vaccination against COVID-19 was 24% lower than for people who received the booster jab but not the repeat vaccination (RRD -24%).
The incidence of hospital and ICU admissions has decreased since July 2022 and is currently low in all age groups among both vaccinated and unvaccinated people. Hospital admissions were highest among unvaccinated people aged 80-89 years. ICU admissions were highest among people aged 70-79 years who only received the basic series of vaccinations, or were only partially vaccinated.
People who do not have the same vaccination status may also have differences in vulnerability (underlying health conditions) or the number of SARS-CoV-2 infections they have had. Therefore, a comparison of hospital and ICU admission rates between people with different vaccination statuses cannot be exclusively used to indicate vaccine effectiveness.
About this update
The format of the update on COVID-19 hospital admissions and vaccination status (published once every four weeks) has been updated as of 2 August 2022. The periodic update describes the incidence of COVID-19 hospital and ICU admissions in different age groups with different vaccination statuses. For more information about the new format of this periodic update, see the previous update: New format for updates on COVID-19 hospital admissions based on vaccination status.
Everyone who has been invited to get a COVID-19 vaccination in the basic series, as a booster jab or as a repeat vaccination, but has not yet done so, can still get the jab. Starting 19 September 2022, it is possible to get an autumn vaccination against COVID-19. The autumn vaccination is available to everyone aged 12 years and older. The first invitations will be sent to people in medical risk groups and care workers who have contact with patients.