Study of millions of health records in Hong Kong finds 3 Covid-19 shots cut risk of death, severe illness by 80 per cent for elderly
- Researchers at University of Hong Kong also find three vaccine doses can reduce Covid-19 related deaths for people with multiple chronic illnesses by 90 per cent
- Professor Ian Wong, who leads pharmacology and pharmacy department, calls decision to take coronavirus jabs ‘no-brainer’
A study of the health and inoculation records of millions of Hong Kong residents has found three shots of a Covid-19 vaccine are effective in preventing death and serious complications among the elderly and people with chronic illnesses.
But researchers at the faculty of medicine at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) on Tuesday said additional data was needed to assess what effect additional jabs beyond the first three had in affording the groups the same benefits.
Analysing the health and vaccination records of more than 4 million people maintained by the Hospital Authority and Department of Health, researchers determined three Covid-19 shots reduced deaths among infected people aged 60 and above by 80 per cent.
Three jabs also reduced by the same proportion the rate of hospitalisation and incidence of severe complications among the same age group.
The study found three vaccine doses could reduce Covid-19 related deaths for people with multiple chronic illnesses by 90 per cent and by 95 per cent for those aged 80 and above.
