I thought it interesting that the CDC director orriginally tried to block the publication of this study, so I decided to go to the horses mouth and found the actual study published in JAMA (Journal Of The American Medical Association).

Interim Estimated Effectiveness of 2025-2026 COVID-19 Vaccines in Adults Using a Test-Negative Design

Ryan E. Wiegand, PhD1; Sean Chickery, DHSc2; Duck-Hye Yang, PhD2 et al

SOURCE LINK - https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2850668

Article Abstract -
Key Points
Question What was the estimated effectiveness of 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccines against medically attended COVID-19 among adults aged 18 years or older in the US from September to December 2025?

Findings In this case-control study of 85 725 emergency department and urgent care (ED/UC) encounters and 26 073 hospitalizations in immunocompetent adults aged 18 years or older with a COVID-19like illness, estimated effectiveness of 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccination was 50% against COVID-19associated ED/UC encounters and 55% against COVID-19associated hospitalization, compared with not receiving a 2025-2026 vaccine dose.

Meaning This study found that 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccines were associated with additional protection against medically attended COVID-19 beyond individuals existing immunity, suggesting that adults can reduce their likelihood of severe COVID-19associated outcomes by obtaining a 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccination.

Abstract
Importance The 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine, targeting JN.1 and JN.1-derived sublineages, became available in the US in September 2025.

Objective To assess the estimated interim effectiveness of 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccines against medically attended COVID-19 among immunocompetent adults aged 18 years or older in the US.

Design, Setting, and Participants This case-control study used a test-negative design to investigate patient encounters captured in the Virtual SARS-CoV-2, Influenza, and Other Respiratory Viruses Network, an electronic medical recordbased network of health care systems (253 emergency departments/urgent cares [ED/UCs] and 179 hospitals in 7 states) from September 3, 2025, to December 31, 2025. Patient encounters with COVID-19like illness and a molecular or antigen SARS-CoV-2 test 10 days before to 3 days after the encounter date were included.

Exposure 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccination regardless of prior COVID-19 vaccination.

Main Outcomes and Measures The main outcomes were COVID-19associated ED/UC encounters and COVID-19associated hospitalizations. Cases were defined as encounters with a positive molecular or antigen SARS-CoV-2 test and controls as encounters with a negative molecular SARS-CoV-2 test. The odds of 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccination among cases and controls, adjusting for confounders, were compared and used to estimate vaccine effectiveness (VE) as (1 - adjusted odds ratio) × 100%.

Results In 85 725 ED/UC encounters among adults aged 18 years and older (51 841 [60%] aged 18-64 years; 51 775 female [60%]), 206 of 3941 cases (5%) and 9453 of 81 784 controls (12%) received a 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccination. Estimated VE against COVID-19associated ED/UC encounters was 50% (95% CI, 42%-57%; median [IQR] time since 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine dose receipt, 47 [27-69] days). In 26 073 hospitalizations with a COVID-19like illness (17 530 [67%] aged =65 years; 13 985 female [54%]), 60 of 1022 cases (6%) received a 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccination compared with 3080 of 25 051 controls (12%). Estimated VE against COVID-19associated hospitalization was 55% (95% CI, 41%-66%; median [IQR] time since 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine dose receipt, 46 [26-68] days). Among patients aged 65 years or older, estimated VE against ED/UC encounters was 48% (95% CI, 37%-56%; median [IQR] time since dose receipt, 48 [27-69] days; 33 884 encounters) and against hospitalization was 53% (95% CI, 37%-65%; median [IQR] time since dose receipt, 46 [26-69] days; 17 530 hospitalizations).

Conclusions and Relevance In this study, receipt of 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccination was associated with additional protection beyond existing immunity in adults against medically attended COVID-19, including ED/UC encounters and hospitalizations, compared with no receipt of a 2025-2026 vaccine dose. These findings suggest that adults can reduce their likelihood of severe COVID-19associated outcomes by obtaining a 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccination.

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As graphics and tables would not appear on the BBS, I thought it prudent to only post the abstract. Please use the attached hyperlink to read the actual non paywall article.

I find it interesting that the CDC would want to squelch research that backs up the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine and reduces ER/A&E visits as well as serious complications in the elderly and other at risk populations.

Rug Rat (Brent Hendricks)
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