Fact check: Do covid vaccines work?

1. Summary of the results

1. Summary of the results:

The scientific evidence shows that COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective, particularly at preventing severe outcomes. Clinical data demonstrates effectiveness rates of:

• 97.2% against hospitalization
• 97.4% against ICU admission
• 99.0% against death

Different vaccines show varying effectiveness rates, with Moderna at 98.1% and CoronaVac at 65.7% against infection.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints:

The original question oversimplifies a complex issue. Important missing context includes:

• Vaccine effectiveness has declined over time as new variants emerged
• By 2022, the CDC acknowledged minimal protection against infection/transmission while maintaining strong protection against severe disease
• Vaccine hesitancy is not purely about effectiveness - it's deeply rooted in trust issues, historical experiences, and institutional credibility
• The pharmaceutical industry, particularly companies like Pfizer and Moderna, have significant financial interests in promoting vaccine effectiveness narratives

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement:

The question "Do covid vaccines work?" implies a binary yes/no answer, which misrepresents the nuanced reality:

• "Working" needs to be defined - vaccines can both prevent infection and reduce severity
• Effectiveness varies significantly between different vaccines, populations, and outcomes
• The question ignores the temporal aspect - effectiveness has changed as the virus mutated
• It overlooks the complex social, psychological, and political factors that influence vaccine acceptance and effectiveness perception

The most accurate answer requires specifying which aspect of "working" is being measured (infection prevention, severe disease prevention, death prevention) and for which population group.