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Researchers found high effectiveness of the 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine among adults treated across 381 emergency department and/or urgent care sites and 246 hospitals in 6 states between September 2024 and September 2025, as published this week in JAMA Internal Medicine. Among adults, vaccination was associated with a 26% reduction in COVID-19–related emergency department and urgent care visits, a 35% reduction in COVID-19–related hospitalizations, and a 41% reduction in critical illness compared with no vaccine. Protection was strongest during the first 2 months after vaccination and declined over time, with lower effectiveness in 180–299 days after vaccination. Similar benefits were seen among adults aged 65 years and older. Authors say the results support ongoing efforts to encourage vaccination, particularly among older and higher-risk adults.
High visit volume: The authors also note that COVID-19 was associated with an estimated 3.4 million–4.8 million outpatient visits and 390,000–550,000 hospitalizations during the last respiratory virus season.