Full vaccination more effective than boosters in preventing the spread of Covid

A small increase in the number of people having two vaccines against Covid-19 was more effective in controlling the virus during Europe's fourth wave - when the Omicron variant appeared - than the rapid uptake of booster vaccines, finds a new UCL-led study. Published in the International Journal of Public Health , the study found that a 4.2% increase in the number of people having two doses (full vaccination) led to a 54% reduction in case rates across Europe - despite the detection of the highly infectious Omicron. Meanwhile, although average booster vaccination rates for the elderly and vulnerable increased from 2.71% to 24.5% it was found to provide no significant additional benefit for preventing Covid-19 cases. Researchers say the findings highlight why full vaccination is vital to controlling the spread of Covid-19. Although vaccines may become less effective over time they still prevent some cases, and in doing so, help to buy time to scale-up other defence measures in the critical few weeks after new variants arrive. With only 20% of people in low-income countries fully vaccinated, scientists are urging governments and authorities globally to step up a policy of full vaccination for all. Lead author Dr Vageesh Jain (UCL Institute for Global Health) said: "While Covid-19 has become less severe, assisted by the availability of vaccines (including boosters), novel variants like Omicron means disease control becomes an increasingly important objective.