Several widely-shared social media posts have falsely claimed that vaccines are ineffective against COVID-19, particularly the Omicron variant. One post with more than 70,000 engagements claims that there is no difference in the severity of COVID-19 in vaccinated and unvaccinated patients. This claim is false. Scientific studies and first-hand reports from hospitals and health authorities worldwide have shown repeatedly that vaccinated people are far less likely than unvaccinated people to be hospitalized, enter intensive care, require ventilators, or die from COVID-19. Although Omicron is more able to evade vaccines than other COVID-19 variants, the vaccine still provides significant protection against severe illness and death, and boosters increase protection against infection.
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The spread of Omicron has led to an increase in misinformation about the efficacy of vaccines against the variant and the public is understandably confused. Emphasizing that COVID-19 vaccines remain the best form of protection against the virus and that unvaccinated people are at a higher risk from the virus is recommended. Emphasizing that booster doses can increase protection against Omicron for those already vaccinated is also recommended. Fact-Checking Source(s):
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