People Fully Vaccinated with Second Dose Have Three Times Lower Risk of COVID-19 Infection

Low Risk of Virus Transmission... No Cases of Death or Severe Symptoms Even After Infection

(Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Senior Reporter Jinsoo Lee] People who have completed two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are three times less likely to contract COVID-19 compared to those who have not been vaccinated.

According to a study released on the 4th (local time) by researchers at Imperial College London, a university specializing in natural sciences, engineering, and medicine, people who have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have a 50-60% lower risk of COVID-19 infection, including asymptomatic cases, compared to those who have not yet been vaccinated.

The study was conducted from June 24 to July 12 with 98,233 volunteers. Among them, 527 tested positive for COVID-19, and the positive rate among unvaccinated individuals was found to be three times higher than that of those who had completed the second dose.

According to experts, 3.83% of people who completed the second dose and had contact with confirmed cases tested positive. Meanwhile, the rate among those who have not yet been vaccinated was 7.23%.

The results of this study indicate that those who have completed the second dose are less likely to transmit the virus to others, and even if exposed to COVID-19, they do not progress to death or severe illness.

According to previous data from the UK Public Health England (PHE), the hospitalization prevention rates for people who completed two doses of the Pfizer vaccine and those who completed two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine were 96% and 92%, respectively. However, the Pfizer vaccine was found to be less effective in blocking the Delta variant.

Professor Paul Elliott of the School of Public Health at Imperial College London, who participated in this study, stated, "This study confirms that the second dose of the vaccine is highly effective in blocking the virus," but also urged, "Since the vaccine's effectiveness cannot be expected to be 100%, everyone should be careful to avoid infection."