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CDC Blocks Study; JAMA Publishes 55% Hospitalization Effectiveness

6/24/2026

Summary

Story summary

The study was moved to JAMA Network Open after a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) blocked its weekly report publication.
The study found roughly 55% effectiveness against hospitalizations and a 50% reduction in emergency visits.
Acting CDC director Jay Bhattacharya said the test-negative design could bias results.
Researchers and biostatistician Natalie Dean defended the method as standard, while critic Martin Kulldorff urged longer-term studies at a CDC forum.

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Story summary

The study was moved to JAMA Network Open after a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) blocked its weekly report publication.
The study found roughly 55% effectiveness against hospitalizations and a 50% reduction in emergency visits.
Acting CDC director Jay Bhattacharya said the test-negative design could bias results.
Researchers and biostatistician Natalie Dean defended the method as standard, while critic Martin Kulldorff urged longer-term studies at a CDC forum.