Study: 2024 COVID vaccine protected well against severe illness

A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found the updated 2024-2025 COVID vaccines offered 57% protection against hospitalization and death, although their effectiveness lessened over time. According to the study, protection against infection and emergency department visits was 45%. The study was based on outcomes from 237,203 Nebraska residents during the 2024-2025 respiratory virus season. "Our study showed that the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines were effective, especially against severe outcomes, although their effectiveness waned over time," said Dan-Yu Lin, PhD, senior study author, in a press release from the University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health. "Thus, it is beneficial to have an annual COVID-19 vaccination, particularly for individuals at high risk of severe outcomes.” (CIDRAP article, 10/28/25)