Vaccines remain the most effective weapon we have in the fight against COVID-19 | Western Cape Government

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Vaccines remain the most effective weapon we have in the fight against COVID-19

19 September 2021

Data of cases diagnosed with COVID-19 in those over 60 years during the week of 14 – 20 August when the Western Cape was in its peak of the third wave of COVID-19 infections shows:

  • 2455 contracted COVID-19, of which 92% of people were NOT fully vaccinated 
  • 729 people required hospitalization, with 96% NOT fully vaccinated
  • 292 people died due to COVID-19, but 98.3% were NOT fully vaccinated

 

The Western Cape Department of Health analysed this data even further to share with the communities in each region.

 

From this data it is clear that vaccines are highly effective, and that getting fully vaccinated will help protect you from ending up in hospital or dying.

 

While the vaccine is not 100% effective, results of the current vaccines in use indicate they are both safe and highly effective and offer excellent protection against severe disease and death. 

 

Data analysis per region of those in the age bracket of 60 years and older where COVID-19 was diagnosed during 14 – 20 August:

 

Cape Metro

  • 1 413 cases were diagnosed, of which 90% were NOT fully vaccinated
  • 433 cases needed hospitalization, of which 94,7% were NOT fully vaccinated
  • 177 deaths were recorded, of which 97% were NOT fully vaccinated.

 

Of the few cases of deaths of those fully vaccinated, investigations found it was due to COVID-19 itself (a ‘breakthrough’ severe infection), in patients who were very elderly and/or with comorbidities. It was not caused by the vaccine.

 

Vaccination Status of 60+ Hospitalisations in Cape Metro

 

Cape Winelands

  • 299 cases were diagnosed, of which 91% were NOT fully vaccinated
  • 85 cases needed hospitalization, of which 98,8% were NOT fully vaccinated
  • 42 deaths were recorded, of which NONE were fully vaccinated – this means 100% of reported deaths were NOT fully vaccinated

 

Vaccination Status of 60+ Hospitalisations in Cape Winelands

 

Central Karoo

  • 46 cases were diagnosed, of which 96% were NOT fully vaccinated
  • 19 cases needed hospitalization, of which NONE were fully vaccinated - this means 100% of admissions were NOT fully vaccinated
  • 7 deaths were recorded, of which NONE were fully vaccinated - this means 100% of reported deaths were NOT fully vaccinated

 

Vaccination Status of 60+ Hospitalisations in Central Karoo

 

Garden Route

  • 333 cases were diagnosed, of which 96% were NOT fully vaccinated
  • 96 cases needed hospitalization, 95,8% were NOT fully vaccinated
  • 31 deaths were recorded, of which NONE were fully vaccinated - this means 100% of reported deaths were NOT fully vaccinated

 

Vaccination Status of 60+ Hospitalisations in Garden Route

 

Overberg

  • 132 cases were diagnosed, of which 95% were NOT fully vaccinated
  • 36 cases needed hospitalization, of which NONE were fully vaccinated - this means 100% of admissions were NOT fully vaccinated
  • 11 deaths were recorded, of which NONE were fully vaccinated - this means 100% of reported deaths were NOT fully vaccinated

 

Vaccination Status of 60+ Hospitalisations in Overberg

 

West Coast

  • 207 cases were diagnosed, of which 94% were NOT fully vaccinated
  • 57 cases needed hospitalization, of which 96,5% were NOT fully vaccinated
  • 23 deaths were recorded, of which NONE were fully vaccinated - this means 100% of deaths were NOT fully vaccinated

 

Vaccination Status of 60+ Hospitalisations in West Coast

 

This data analysis again proves vaccines are safe and offer excellent protection against death. We all need to play our part in securing our future. We can do this; Let’s do this by getting vaccinated!

 

Notes:

Data for cases diagnosed in week of 14-20 August 2021

*Fully vaccinated =  ≥14 days post 2nd Pfizer OR ≥28 days post J&J

*Unvaccinated includes partially vaccinated

*Limited to population age 60 years+ with highest vaccine coverage

Population vaccine coverage determined from demographic estimates & EVDS data for 1st week of August to compare with coverage in COVID-19 cases, admissions and deaths for 14-20 August. Currently (15 September 2021), 57% of those 60y+ in the WC are fully vaccinated.  *COVID-19 cases, admissions & deaths determined from integrated provincial health clinical information systems.

As vaccine coverage increases, absolute numbers of COVID-19 cases, admissions & deaths will drop, but we except proportion vaccinated to increase due to higher vaccine coverage.