The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has published new data showing unvaccinated seniors 65 and older are 49 times more likely to be hospitalized with Covid-19 than those who have been vaccinated and received a booster shot.

The data, which was collected between Nov. 6 and Dec. 25, also showed that adults 50-64 are 44 times more likely to be hospitalized, while unvaccinated adults 18-49 are 12 times more likely. Adolescents aged 12-17 are nine times more likely to be hospitalized.

Conversely, adults 65 and older who have been vaccinated have a 94% reduced risk of winding up needing serious medical attention at a hospital.

The new data comes as the Omicron variant is surging across the country and infecting 744,616 people per week, according to CDC data. Hospitalizations are at a 20,990 seven-day moving average with 95% of seniors receiving at least one dose of the vaccine with 88% being fully vaccinated.

“Reviewing data on the impact of Omicron, the participants concluded that current vaccines offer less protection against infection and mild disease caused by this variant. However, vaccination continues to offer considerable protection from hospitalization and severe Covid-19 with Omicron, especially after a booster dose, said the International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities.

The regulators say it is becoming “increasingly clear” booster shots are necessary to protect against infection. The agency urges everyone to get vaccinated because the older an infected person is the more likely they need hospitalization, intensive care, or to be put on a ventilator.

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