Recent investigations involving over a million vaccinated individuals reveal that the occurrence of breakthrough COVID infections is quite rare. As cases rise across the nation amidst concerning reports about new variants and a heated political debate surrounding masks and vaccines, many may feel anxious about the risk of contracting the virus, even if fully vaccinated.
A study recently published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases provides reassuring insights. Conducted in the U.K. from December 2020 to July 2021, during both the alpha and delta variant surges, the research analyzed data from participants who received two doses of either the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or AstraZeneca vaccines. Participants reported positive COVID-19 tests either at least 14 days post-first shot or at least 7 days after the second shot, with no positive results before their first vaccination.
Ready to feel a bit more relaxed? The findings showed that 6,030 participants tested positive after their first dose, and 2,370 after their second dose. While these numbers may seem significant, they translate to less than 0.5% for the first dose and 0.2% for the second.
Encouragingly, when breakthrough infections did occur, most participants experienced no symptoms; only 6% reported any symptoms. However, asymptomatic individuals can still unknowingly transmit the virus to those who have not yet been vaccinated.
The study also indicated that being fully vaccinated reduces the risk of hospitalization by over two-thirds and cuts the chance of developing long-term symptoms by half.
Two additional studies released on the same day focused on breakthrough infections in healthcare workers, revealing a similarly low risk among the vaccinated. One study in JAMA Network Open examined more than 5,300 vaccinated healthcare workers in Israel from January to March 2021 and found 27 infections (slightly above 0.5%), with no reported deaths and only one hospitalization. It’s important to note that this data was collected before the Delta variant emerged in Israel.
Another study published in the New England Journal of Medicine discovered 94 symptomatic breakthrough infections among over 16,000 healthcare workers from March to July 2021, coinciding with the Delta variant’s spread in the U.S. While breakthrough infections did increase, this trend raises concerns about the vaccines’ effectiveness against Delta and other variants.
Ultimately, the most effective way to protect yourself and your loved ones, and to help end the pandemic, is to get vaccinated as soon as possible and receive a booster shot when eligible. There truly is no alternative at this stage.
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In summary, new studies confirm that breakthrough COVID infections among vaccinated individuals are rare, with most cases resulting in mild or no symptoms. Vaccination continues to be a crucial measure for reducing severe illness and hospitalization risks.
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