Ventilation rates drop as COVID-19-vaccination rates climb in Israel

Findings from an Israeli study provide “preliminary but important evidence of the effectiveness of vaccines in preventing severe cases of COVID-19 at the national level” according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Israel rolled out a national vaccination campaign in December 2020, prioritizing older adults and other high-risk populations. By February 2021, the country achieved two-dose vaccination coverage for 84% of Israelis above age 70 and 10% of those under age 50. Researchers saw a major decline (67%) in the ratio of COVID-19 patients aged 70 years and older who required mechanical ventilation to those aged 50 years and younger when comparing ventilation data from October–December 2020 with data from February of this year. (MMWR article, 2/26/21)