The SARS-CoV-2 vaccine provides cross-protection to the unvaccinated: Study

COVID-19 is a disease caused by a novel strain of coronavirus, named SARS-COV-2. In COVID-19 'CO' refers to Corona, 'VI' for the virus, and 'D' for disease. Formerly, this disorder was also referred to as '2019 novel coronavirus' or '2019-nCoV.' In the year 2021, many countries worldwide developed vaccines against the SARS-COV-2 virus and have conducted mass vaccinations in their respective countries.

A ton of recent studies have put forth the significance of mass vaccination in controlling the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus, by providing the necessary protection to the people receiving either one or two doses of the vaccine. Also, a study has pointed out the effectiveness of the BNT162b vaccine from Pfizer–BioNTech in preventing not only the vaccinated but also the non-vaccinated in the community. However, it is not possible to observe this putative effect, especially during the highly fluctuating spatiotemporal epidemic changes.

An observational study was conducted by Milman O et. al wherein they evaluated the complete vaccination records as well as test results that were obtained during the mass vaccine program within a pretty large population.

Following which they found that from over 177 geographically defined localities, the number of vaccines administered within each community was strongly linked with a substantial later reduction in the positivity rate among a cohort of participants belonging to the under 16 age group, who were not vaccinated.

For every 20 percentage points of people who received vaccination in any define region/locality/ community, the COVID-19 positivity rate within the unvaccinated population decreased approximately twice the number.

Thus, the researchers concluded through substantial observational proof, SARS-COV2 vaccination not only protects people who have received the doses but also provides cross-protection to unvaccinated people within the community.

Reference:

A study titled, "Community-level evidence for SARS-CoV-2 vaccine protection of unvaccinated individuals" by Milman O et. al published in the Nature Medicine journal.

DOI: 10.1038/s41591-021-01407-5