A small percentage of fully vaccinated people will still develop COVID-19 illness?
What the -
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We know that COVID-19 vaccines are effective.
Meaning they are successful in keeping most people from getting COVID-19.
In a multistate network of US hospitals during January-March 2021, recipients of the Pfizer
or the Moderna COVID-19 vaccines were 94% effective against COVID-19 hospitalization
among fully vaccinated adults and 64% effective among partially vaccinated adults.
There’s no arguing that data here.
However, recently we’ve seen a small percentage of individuals who are fully vaccinated that
still get COVID-19 if they are exposed to the virus.
Why is that you may ask?
These are called vaccine breakthrough cases.
And that’s why today I'll be breaking down five crucial facts that you need to know about
COVID-19 breakthrough cases.
And if you may be at risk.
Hey everyone, I’m Dr. Jordan Wagner.
I’m an emergency room doctor who treats everything from COVID to gunshot wounds, burns,
you name it.
I created this video series to help answer your questions and the questions I get from
patients each and every day, like you.
If you find this video helpful please hit that subscribe button so that you are notified
when I post a new video.
Alright, first things first before we go deep diving into five crucial facts that you need
to know about COVID-19 breakthrough cases.
Let’s start at the beginning.
What in the world is a vaccine breakthrough case?
A breakthrough vaccine case is when somebody develops an illness despite already being
fully vaccinated against it.
I know what you are thinking, hold the phone, Dr. Wagner, you mean to tell me, if I get
my COVID vaccine shots, I can still get COVID?
What the -
Plain and simple there’s no vaccine, I’m sorry to say, that can provide 100% immunity
against any disease.
For instance, flu vaccine has an efficacy of between 40-60% among the overall population
during seasons when most circulating flu viruses are well-matched to the flu vaccine.
And two doses of inactivated polio vaccine are 90% effective or more against polio; three
doses are 99% to 100% effective.
And In general, DTaP is effective for 8 or 9 in 10 children who get it.
Or One dose of MMR vaccine is 93% effective against measles, 78% effective against mumps,
and 97% effective against rubella
You get the idea.
Although good efficacy rates, it’s still not 100%.
So in general you do see some vaccine breakthrough cases.
But it is not as common as you think.
And in my opinion, that is no reason to avoid getting vaccinated.
Because for the majority of people they are effective.
So why might fully vaccinated individuals fall victim to the breakthrough and still
get COVID-19?
In order for these vaccines to take it’s full effect, it takes about 2 weeks for the
body to build protection after vaccination, so a person in theory could still get sick
if the vaccine has not had enough time to provide protection in the body.
Additionally, there are new variations or mutations of the virus that is spreading in
the United States and in different parts of the world.
A rogue variant could very well be the culprit.
However, current data suggest that COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use in the United
States offer protection against most variants.
Another crucial fact that you should know about breakthrough cases?
COVID-19 symptoms after vaccination are mild.
I repeat these symptoms are mild.
If you get the shots but heaven forbid still, get COVID, there is some evidence that
vaccination may make the illness less severe in individuals who get vaccinated.
And the overall risk of hospitalization and death among fully vaccinated people will be
much lower than among people with similar risk factors who are not vaccinated.
Why else do COVID-19 breakthroughs happen?
Elderly or immunocompromised individuals may be at higher risk for breakthrough cases because
their bodies might produce a less powerful immune response to the vaccine.
Similar to flu, the higher risk for older and immunocompromised people is one reason
it's important for younger, healthy people to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
If everyone is vaccinated, it's harder for the virus to find targets, which protects
those who are at higher risk.
Lastly, the big questions on everyone’s mind, how common are COVID-19 breakthrough
cases?
And should you even get a vaccine hearing all this?
Listen, breakthrough cases are pretty rare.
Recent study found that less than 1% of the 36,600 health care workers who were studied
tested positive for COVID-19 after being fully vaccinated, meaning both doses plus two weeks
for the immunity to build; with the Pfizer or Moderna
vaccines.
Not a single vaccinated health care worker who contracted COVID-19 was hospitalized or
died.
And those who did get sick appeared to have milder symptoms than their counterparts who
were unvaccinated, according to the researchers.
And as I said before breakthrough infections are an expected outcome in any vaccination
process.
No vaccine is 100% fool-proof.
Breakthrough cases aren’t a reason to panic and shouldn’t deter you from getting vaccines,
as they do work.
COVID-19 vaccines remain extremely effective in preventing severe and life-threatening
cases of COVID-19.
And experts say this rare breakthrough COVID-19 cases will give researchers and medical professionals
a way to determine the extent to which COVID-19 vaccines work and which coronavirus variants
may be causing these cases despite vaccination.
Alright, that's been a quick COVID conversation with me, Dr. Wagner.
Have you been vaccinated yet?
I surely have.
Let me know in the comments if you have too.
I’d love to hear from you.
And please make sure that you subscribe and turn your bell notifications on.
Thank you so much for watching and stay healthy, my friends.