Researchers from the Regenstrief Institute have revealed that the immune protection from COVID-19 vaccines provides stronger defense than the innate immunity that follows infection with SARS-CoV-2. This finding is especially important for adults aged 60 and older, who showed a noticeably lower mortality rate among those who were vaccinated. The study’s insights contribute to ongoing discourse about how best to protect at‑risk populations in North America and beyond. The work appeared in a leading public health journal, signaling a solid, peer‑reviewed assessment of real‑world outcomes across a broad community sample.
The analysis drew on health data from more than half a million residents of Indiana, aged 12 to 110, who had either received mRNA vaccines or recovered from COVID-19. The researchers compared all‑cause mortality and hospitalization rates and found that vaccinated individuals experienced about a 37% reduction in these outcomes compared with those who relied on natural immunity alone. This reduction extended to emergency department visits, where vaccinated people had roughly a 24% lower rate of all‑cause encounters than those with prior infection.
Notably, while the incidence of SARS‑CoV‑2 infection was higher among the vaccinated group (approximately 6.7%) compared with those previously infected (around 2.9%), the vaccine still provided superior protection against severe illness and death. The data underscore that immunity from vaccination not only reduces the risk of hospitalization but also lowers the chance of severe disease requiring urgent care, even when breakthrough infections occur. Health professionals in Canada and the United States can interpret these results as consistent evidence that vaccine‑induced protection remains robust across diverse age groups and health statuses.
The protective effect of vaccination was evident across the full age spectrum covered in the study, but it was strongest among older adults, particularly those aged 60 and above. In practical terms, this means older individuals who are vaccinated not only enjoy a lower risk of severe outcomes if they contract the virus, but also benefit from a more reliable safety profile throughout the course of the pandemic. This pattern aligns with other large‑scale investigations that emphasize the value of vaccination in mitigating the most serious consequences of COVID‑19, while also acknowledging that breakthrough infections can occur. The overall message remains clear: vaccination strengthens the body’s defense where it matters most, reducing the likelihood of death and critical illness even as exposure opportunities continue to exist in many communities.