So, should you be worried? Are breakthrough infections really cause for concern? Not necessarily. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), breakthrough infections are rare. A total of 10,262 SARS-CoV-2 vaccine breakthrough infections have been reported. That’s 10,000 out of 101 million. What’s more, those who have experienced breakthrough infections are, in most cases, asymptomatic, though some will lose their sense of taste or smell and/or develop difficulty breathing or a cough. So, what does this mean? Does it mean the COVID vaccine is waning? Is it time for a booster shot? Here’s everything you need to know about breakthrough infections.
What are breakthrough infections?
As mentioned above, breakthrough infections occur when people get infected after vaccination. Scientists call these cases breakthrough infections because the virus “broke” through the protective barrier the vaccine provides. What does this mean? Even though the vaccines are highly protective, vaccinated individuals can contract COVID, particularly the Delta variant, which now accounts for 80 percent of all cases in the United States. “New data does support that vaccinated people can transmit the virus, although they are still less likely to transmit than if they were unvaccinated,” Dr. Christina Wojewoda, MD, the chair of the microbiology committee at the College of American Pathologists, tells Parade. But how is COVID spread to vaccinated individuals? Well, the process of transmission is the same. “SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) is predominantly spread via droplets and small particles that an infected person exhales or coughs out that are inhaled by an uninfected person,” Wojewoda adds. “Those droplets and small particles could also land in someone’s eyes, nose or mouth to cause infection as well.”
Do these infections mean the vaccine isn’t working?
The short answer is no. The presence of breakthrough infections does not mean a vaccine is useless, or not working. Rather, data is showing us that these vaccines still protect against severe illness and death. “Most vaccinated people may have mild symptoms, but will likely not end up in the hospital,” Minal Ahson, an assistant professor of medicine at the University of South Florida, tells Parade. “That said, immunity can wane over time, and a vaccine might be less effective for a given pathogen [like COVID-19]. For that reason, studies are in progress to determine if a booster shot is needed to increase our immune response.”
How severe are breakthrough infections?
The good news is that most breakthrough infections are not serious. In fact, 27 percent of breakthrough cases reported to the CDC were asymptomatic. Only 10 percent of breakthrough-infected people were hospitalized—some for reasons other than COVID-19—and 2 percent died. It’s also worth noting that 97 percent of those being hospitalized for COVID-19 are unvaccinated.
What is the best way to prevent breakthrough infections, and any COVID infection?
The best way to protect yourself from COVID-19 (and the Delta variant) is to get vaccinated, as the vaccines have an effectiveness rate of up to 95 percent. This means that the vaccine will protect you most of the time. However, there are other things you can do to protect yourself further. Wash your hands regularly and cough or sneeze into the crook of your arm. Wear a mask indoors, especially in crowded places, and keep distance between others, as social distancing is an effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19. And listen to the experts, including those at the World Health Organization and CDC. “If you are unvaccinated, you should be wearing a mask at all times,” Dr. Vino Palli, MD, the founder and chief executive officer of MiDoctor Urgent Care, emphasizes. “This will protect you from infection and reduce your chances of infecting others. However, the CDC recommends that both vaccinated and unvaccinated people wear a mask in indoor public settings in areas of substantial and high transmission to reduce the risk of vaccinated people transmitting to others.” Next up, do you still need the COVID vaccine if you have antibodies?
Sources
“COVID-19 Vaccine Breakthrough Infections Reported to CDC.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Minal Ahson, assistant professor of medicine at the University of South Florida"What Should Define a SARS-CoV-2 ‘Breakthrough’ Infection?" The Journal of Clinical Investigation. “Press Briefing by WhiteHouse COVID-19 Response Team and Public HealthOfficials.” The White House. Dr. Christina Wojewoda, the chair of the microbiology committee at the College of American Pathologists"Comparing the COVID-19 Vaccines: How Are They Different?" Yale Medicine.Dr. Vino Palli, the founder and chief executive officer of MiDoctor Urgent Care
