Bethany Bump is reporting for the Times Union the coronavirus vaccines now in use are highly effective at keeping COVID-infected people out of the hospital, but seem to have worked less well at preventing infections in the first place, a new state Department of Health study found. The study, released August 18, was cited by top U.S. health officials as a factor in the decision to recommend booster shots. The analysis looked at infection rates, breakthrough cases and the vaccination status of adult New Yorkers hospitalized with COVID-19 from May 3 to July 25. The study found that cases are increasing among both the vaccinated and unvaccinated, but the curve is climbing faster for the unvaccinated. Meanwhile, the vaccines showed declining effectiveness against infection over the three-month period — from about 92 percent to 80 percent. The study also found that vaccines seem to be doing exactly what they were designed to do, which is prevent severe illness and hospitalization; not enough data was available to evaluate death trends, the report notes. Researchers concluded the vaccines were 92 to 95 percent effective at keeping fully vaccinated New Yorkers out of the hospital from May through July. State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker was a senior author on the report. The other authors include researchers from the Department of Health and University at Albany. Dr. Eli Rosenberg, a lead study author with the Department of Health, said, “...[T]hese results demonstrate that compared to unvaccinated people, those who are vaccinated remain consistently far more protected against infection and hospitalization. Vaccines remain a critical tool for COVID-19 prevention.” Read the full story in the Times Union.