Just under 60% of those aged under 24 who were hospitalised after contracting COVID-19 between July and November were not vaccinated.

The equivalent figure for the 25-44 age category stood at almost 50%, new CSO figures show.

The median age of the unvaccinated who contracted COVID-19, and were admitted to hospital between July and November, was 38 compared

Unvaccinated ICU cases

More than half (54%) of those admitted to ICUs between July and November reported they were unvaccinated and, of those who said they were vaccinated, more than nine in ten (92%) had an underlying health condition.

Of those admitted to ICU who contracted COVID-19 between July and November and were not born in Ireland, 84% reported being unvaccinated, the CSO figures show.

Vaccinated case rise

Since July, hospitalisations among those who reported as vaccinated have been rising at a higher rate than those who reported as un-vaccinated.

The average hospitalisation rate has been fewer than 30 people per 1,000 confirmed cases since April, and this decrease is seen in all age groups, while the average ICU admission rate has been fewer than five people per 1,000 confirmed cases since April.

In 90% of local electoral areas, vaccination uptake rate among the over 12s is greater than 83.7% of the population.

Statistician Steven Conroy said: “This COVID-19 Insight Bulletin tracks the trends behind the daily ICU, hospitalisation and vaccination figures. 

Trends identified

“One of the trends the Central Statistics Office (CSO) has identified in this bulletin is that just under 60% of the 0-24 age group who contracted COVID-19 between July and November, and were admitted to hospital, were not vaccinated; with the equivalent figure for the 25-44 age category standing at almost 50%. 

“The CSO also found that more than half (54%) of those admitted to ICUs from July to November said they were not vaccinated and, of those that said they were vaccinated, almost all (92%) had an underlying health condition.

ICU admission-rate fall

“Further analysis on ICU admissions shows that 84% of those who contracted COVID-19 between July and November who were not born in Ireland, and were admitted to an ICU, reported to health officials as being unvaccinated.”

Hospitalisation and ICU admission rates per confirmed case have been falling since April, and this can be seen in all age groups, he said.