We’ve all come across the memes and arguments circulating online. Following the revelation that vaccinated individuals can still contract and transmit COVID-19, those opposed to vaccines have seized the opportunity to claim that the vaccines are ineffective.
“Why should I get vaccinated if I can still catch COVID?” your distant relative Laura might ask after you share an article highlighting the life-saving impact of the vaccine. “It’s foolish to get a shot that doesn’t even prevent illness,” writes Mike from your college days, under a post showcasing his “I trust my immune system, not the vaccine” frame.
These viewpoints are everywhere, making it difficult to respond. Yes, especially with the rise of the delta variant, vaccinated people can experience breakthrough infections. While these cases tend to be milder and less likely to result in hospitalization, some individuals can still transmit the virus.
However, here’s the crux of the matter—vaccinated individuals are actually less likely to contract COVID-19 in the first place. Therefore, they are not “just as likely to transmit COVID.”
How could they transmit the virus if they’re less prone to illness?
As Dr. Sarah Johnson, an emergency medicine specialist at a prominent medical center, articulates in an article for The Atlantic, most COVID cases and transmissions are among unvaccinated individuals.
“Vaccinated people are not as likely to spread the virus as those who are unvaccinated,” Dr. Johnson points out. “In the U.S., where over half the population is fully vaccinated, the unvaccinated account for a significant majority of transmission.”
It’s worth noting that while the efficacy of vaccines has seen some decline, particularly with the emergence of the delta variant and potential waning immunity, they still serve their primary purpose well. Vaccines are designed to significantly reduce the risk of severe illness and death, even if they do not provide complete sterilizing protection.
Even at lower efficacy rates—say, 80%, 60%, or even 50%—the reduction in the number of individuals who can get sick and spread the virus is substantial. In contrast, unvaccinated individuals have virtually no protection. Personally, I’d opt for any degree of protection over none at all, especially knowing that vaccination greatly reduces the risk of a fatal outcome from COVID-19.
Moreover, vaccinated individuals who do contract COVID-19 generally experience a shorter duration of illness, allowing them to clear the infection more rapidly. As Dr. Johnson notes, vaccinated individuals are likely contagious for a shorter time compared to the unvaccinated and may carry a lower viral load overall.
This means fewer people in the community spread the virus, which is a positive outcome for public health.
To effectively end the pandemic, it’s crucial for as many people as possible to get vaccinated. The unvaccinated are the ones perpetuating the virus’s spread. We need more individuals to contribute to breaking the transmission chain through the protection provided by vaccines.
So let’s put an end to the misleading claim that vaccinated people are just as likely to transmit COVID as their unvaccinated counterparts. This argument is not only factually incorrect but also hinders informed decision-making regarding public health and community safety.
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In summary, vaccinated individuals are less likely to contract and subsequently spread COVID-19 compared to the unvaccinated. This distinction is vital for understanding the role of vaccines in controlling the pandemic and promoting community health.
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