LONDON – The rapid rollout of vaccines in the UK has contributed to a significant decrease in infections, hospitalizations and deaths from Covid-19, according to data that add to a growing body of evidence that the injections provide significant protection against the disease.
The new information from the UK, released Monday, is preliminary and has not been reviewed by other scientists, but gives cause for optimism that vaccines offer a way out of a pandemic that has claimed at least 2.5 million lives and killed dozens worldwide. of millions.
The data suggests that vaccines are the most successful in preventing hospitalizations and deaths, a major concern of health authorities. Although vaccines also suppress new infections, the effect is not as pronounced.
The information appears to justify UK policy to expand the limited vaccine stock by delaying a second injection until 12 weeks after the first, while also highlighting the additional protection afforded by a second injection.
The data includes an analysis of the effect of vaccinations in the elderly, a study of infection among vaccinated and unvaccinated health professionals, and a broad view of vaccinations in Scotland involving more than five million people.