well, as those new infections are starting, finally, to plateau, the c.d.c. is now pointing to three new studies that show just how effective vaccines and boosters are at keeping people away from the hospital. omicron is retreating in parts of the country, but it remains relentless in many hospitals, straining i.c.u.s and push something healthcare workers to the brink. >> this is the worst. it's taking us out with it. >> reporter: covid heaingses jumped 30%, and deaths 44% in the past two weeks, with the west and midwest hit especially hard. >> every hospital is full, so trying to find a facility that has an open space with the appropriate care is difficult. >> reporter: the pace of first shots is slowing, with about a third of eligible americans still not fully vaccinated. and less than half are boosted, even as studies show that third pfizer or moderna shot reduces the risk of hospitalization with omicron by 82%. >> we have the saddest stories we've heard in your life of