Salzburg data analysis confirms vaccination effect – science.ORF.at
The experts could not report any new sensation, but: “The vaccination protects against severe courses and against hospitalization,” summarized Arne BathkeDean of the Faculty of Digital and Analytical Sciences at the University of Salzburg, at an online press conference on Tuesday.
For the analysis, the experts anonymously linked relevant data from the hospitals, the e-vaccination card and the epidemiological reporting system EMS. The linking of the data was made possible by a cooperation between the Salzburg State Clinics (SALK) and the State of Salzburg. Questions related to data protection had to be clarified beforehand. Salzburg sees itself as a pioneer in Austria. The investigation period included the delta wave from September to the end of 2021 and the subsequent omicron wave to the end of April 2022.
500 deaths among over-65s prevented
The focus of the analysis is the age group of over 65s. With increasing age, hospitalization also increases, explained state statistics head Gernot Filipp. “The vaccination has been shown to protect against infections. It works against hospitalization, especially for intensive care patients. Unvaccinated people over the age of 65 had a 4.3 times higher risk of dying than fully vaccinated during the delta wave.”
During the omicron wave, this factor dropped to 2.6 times. “Statistically speaking, the vaccination resulted in about 500 deaths in the 65-plus age group in the eight months under review.” The analyzes had shown that only an age-specific evaluation of the data made sense.
There are also clear differences in hospitalizations
Wanda Lauth from Intelligent Data Analytics Lab Salzburg (IDA) and Stefan Senn from the state statistics, the probability of coming to the hospital with Corona between vaccinated and unvaccinated people. “The risk of hospitalization in the delta wave was 3.5 times higher in unvaccinated people over the age of 65 than in those who were fully vaccinated with two doses at the time. In the omicron wave, the risk was increased 2.6 times. Here you were considered fully vaccinated with at least three doses.”
During the delta wave, the risk of being admitted to the intensive care unit was almost six times lower for the fully vaccinated than for the unvaccinated. “During the omicron wave several times, relatively 5.1 times fewer fully vaccinated entered the intensive care units.”
Vaccination effect wears off after four months
The data specialists also found that vaccination protection against hospitalization decreases over time, usually after four months. “But the risk is always higher in unvaccinated people over 65 than in fully vaccinated people,” explained Lauth. In terms of length of stay in hospital, no significant difference was observed between fully vaccinated and unvaccinated patients. Older patients tended to be cared for longer in the hospital.
Not waiting for nationwide data analysis
When asked why Salzburg had not waited for a nationwide data evaluation, Bathke answered: It was agreed with state politics not to wait for the Covid hospitalization register. The best preparation for autumn and winter is “evidence-based”, based on real facts and figures and a well-founded analysis of this data.
The Department of Artificial Intelligence and Human Interfaces at the University of Salzburg, which he heads, and the (IDA) Lab Salzburg will continue to be scientific partners for the analysis of the database for the coming months. One is also in close contact with the Gecko crisis coordination and other bodies. “If we have a larger pool of data, we can make even more precise statements.”
The result of the previous analysis confirms that a complete basic immunization and the booster vaccination offer the “best possible protection”, summarized the country’s vaccination coordinator, Rainer Pusch. “Hopefully that will also be a clear incentive for many to get vaccinated.”