Recent research involving over a million vaccinated individuals indicates that breakthrough COVID infections are quite rare. Amid the ongoing rise in COVID-19 cases and the concerning emergence of new variants, many individuals may feel anxious about the possibility of contracting the virus, even after being fully vaccinated. However, a new study could help alleviate some of that concern by demonstrating that vaccines continue to provide robust protection against severe illness and hospitalization.
Published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, this research was conducted in the U.K. from December 2020 to July 2021, capturing data during both the alpha strain and the delta variant surges. Researchers analyzed data from more than 1 million participants who had received two doses of either the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or AstraZeneca vaccines. Participants reported positive COVID-19 tests occurring at least 14 days after their first vaccination (but before their second) or at least seven days following their second dose, with no positive tests recorded prior to their first dose.
If you’re feeling relieved, you might be glad to know that the study found 6,030 participants tested positive after their first dose, and 2,370 after their second. While these numbers may seem significant, they translate to less than 0.5% and 0.2%, respectively. Additionally, when breakthrough infections occurred, the majority were asymptomatic — only six percent of those infected reported experiencing symptoms. This is important, as asymptomatic individuals might unknowingly spread the virus to those who are unvaccinated.
Moreover, the study revealed that fully vaccinated individuals faced a more than two-thirds reduction in hospitalization risk, and the likelihood of developing long-haul symptoms was halved. Further supporting these findings, two additional studies released on the same day focused on breakthrough infections in healthcare workers, showing similarly low infection rates among the fully vaccinated.
One study published in JAMA Network Open examined more than 5,300 vaccinated healthcare workers in Israel between January and March of this year, finding only 27 infections, which is slightly above 0.5%. Notably, there were no reported deaths, and only one fully vaccinated individual required hospitalization. However, it’s essential to remember that this research was conducted prior to the Delta variant’s arrival in Israel.
The third study, featured in the New England Journal of Medicine, identified 94 symptomatic breakthrough infections among over 16,000 healthcare workers from March to July, coinciding with the Delta variant’s spread in the U.S. It’s important to note that while breakthrough infections increased over time, highlighting concerns about vaccine efficacy against variants, the best way to protect yourself and others is to get vaccinated as soon as possible and receive a booster shot when eligible.
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In summary, the latest research indicates that breakthrough COVID infections are quite rare among vaccinated individuals, with most experiencing mild or no symptoms. Vaccination significantly reduces the risk of hospitalization and long-term complications. It’s crucial to stay informed and continue to protect yourself and others through vaccination.
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