University of Arizona researchers are learning the real-world effectiveness of the vaccines through a study on those who have worked the frontlines throughout the pandemic.
“This is the first study of its kind to look at vaccine effectiveness in the U.S. including symptomatic and asymptomatic illness,” said Dr. Jeff Burgess, the lead researcher for the AZ HEROES Study.
The study is looking at first responders, healthcare workers and essential workers such as grocery store employees and teachers.
“Everyone is at high risk of exposure from treating patients or working with co-workers and the public,” he said. “Out of all the groups, the ones at the highest risk were the first responders.”
Dr. Burgess said the study found fully vaccinated participants are 90 percent less likely to be infected. The research is revealing information about the vaccines that the clinical trials didn’t look at.