Switzerland’s Coronavirus Task Force on Thursday released a range of findings about the transmissibility of Covid-19 ahead of the planned rollout of booster shots across the country.
The findings showed the degree to which vaccination prevents further transmission.
Those who have been vaccinated are three times less contagious than those who have not had the jab.
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The findings dispel one of the more pervasive myths about the virus which has been circulating since the start of the vaccination campaign, i.e. that the vaccinated and the unvaccinated are just as likely to transmit the virus and infect others.
The false claim has often been used by Covid sceptics as a reason why vaccines are ineffective.
Based on these findings, the Task Force said at least 10,000 hospitalisations could be avoided across the country were the remaining vaccine holdouts to get the jab.
The findings also illustrated that booster shots would prevent an additional 10,000 to 20,000 hospitalisations.
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The study took into account infectiousness of people who are fully vaccinated with the Biontech/Pfizer vaccine.
While the study looked primarily at how infectious vaccinated people are in comparison to the unvaccinated rather than the reasons, the Task Force said the most likely explanation was that those who have been vaccinated have a lower viral load, or that they are contagious for a shorter period of time.
Who is Switzerland’s National Covid-19 Science Task Force?
The Swiss National Covid-19 Science Task Force advises public bodies on appropriate courses of action to take during the pandemic, but does not directly make policy decisions.
The body is made up of 25 scientists in relevant specialised fields who volunteer to be a part of the program.
One of its main jobs since the start of the pandemic has been to dispel conspiracy theories and fake news about the virus and the government’s response.
💉Science is still celebrating National Vaccination Week! These powerful vaccines aren’t interested in your DNA.
➡️ Get your vaccine today! #Impfwoche #CoronaInfoCH pic.twitter.com/jKLH0jhCod
— Swiss National COVID-19 Science Task Force (@SwissScience_TF) November 18, 2021
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In fact most of the infections have the origin in vaccinated people. Apparently, while viral charge is higher in unvaccinated, the behavior of vaccinated tends to be much less cautious.