Boosted Nebraskans are 46 Times Less Likely to be Hospitalized with COVID
By Will Bauer, Reporter/Producer Nebraska Public Media and Daniel Wheaton , Midwest Newsroom
Jan. 19, 2022, 11 a.m. ·

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COVID-19 vaccinations prevented 3,200 hospitalizations and 700 deaths in Nebraska last month alone, according to a new analysis by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
The new report by state epidemiologist Matt Donahue and his team also concluded that boosted Nebraskans were 46 times less likely to be hospitalized compared to those unvaccinated. Those fully vaccinated – without a booster – were 11 times less likely to find themselves in a packed medical center.
According to a third DHHS analysis of death certificates, full vaccine protection means Nebraskans are less likely to die overall and vaccines are safe.
Nearly 66% of the state’s population is fully vaccinated, according to the state's COVID dashboard.
While some coastal areas are seeing cases drop, the Midwest has not yet reached its peak. In Nebraska, cases are up more than 120% over the last two weeks, according to CDC data.
Nebraska and Missouri are averaging case rates of about 195 cases per 100,000 people every two weeks. Kansas’ rate is higher at 230 and Iowa’s stands near 150. Prior to the omicron wave, all of these states had rates between 40 and 50.