Raw data p12
Interpretation of data
These data should be considered in the context of vaccination status of the population groups
shown in the rest of this report. The vaccination status of cases, inpatients and deaths is not the
most appropriate method to assess vaccine effectiveness and there is a high risk of
misinterpretation. Vaccine effectiveness has been formally estimated from a number of different
sources and is described earlier in this report.
In the context of very high vaccine coverage in the population, even with a highly effective
vaccine, it is expected that a large proportion of cases, hospitalisations and deaths would occur
in vaccinated individuals, simply because a larger proportion of the population are vaccinated
than unvaccinated and no vaccine is 100% effective. This is especially true because vaccination
has been prioritised in individuals who are more susceptible or more at risk of severe disease.
Individuals in risk groups may also be more at risk of hospitalisation or death due to non-
COVID-19 causes, and thus may be hospitalised or die with COVID-19 rather than because of
COVID-19.