Breakthrough Disease

Apr 27

What is breakthrough disease?

The three vaccines currently available in the US are extremely effective. All provide adequate protection against infection with COVID-19; developing severe illness or death is very rare among vaccine recipients.

However, no vaccine is 100% effective. On average, if 100 people are vaccinated for COVID-19, 90 will be protected and 10 may get sick.

How often does this happen in the “real world”?

CDC is tracking reports of breakthrough infection nationally in coordination with state health departments. As of April 20th, 7,157 cases of breakthrough infections were reported out of 87 million people vaccinated. That equates to 0.008% of vaccinated people getting sick with COVID.

Characteristics of people who experienced breakthrough infection are the following:

· 40% are over 60 years of age

· 65% are women

· 29% have no symptoms

· 7% were hospitalized

· 74 people have died

In another study, the State of Washington reported 217 cases of breakthrough disease out of 1.7 Million people vaccinated.

· The majority experienced mild or no symptoms

· 26 were hospitalizations

· 5 people died (all had multiple comorbidities)

Is this expected?

Yes. Breakthrough cases are expected, though they will occur at very low rates as you still must be exposed to COVID-19 after vaccination to potentially develop infection.

Should I worry if vaccinated?

Vaccinated people should still take precaution in public and any situation where unvaccinated individuals are present. This is especially important for those 60 years and older. The presence of variants and sustained high levels of case counts are still active threats to public health.

Overall, risk of getting COVID-19 is very low if vaccinated. We must all continue to take precautions until the majority of our population is vaccinated.

References

COVID-19 Breakthrough Case Investigations and Reporting | CDC

CDC Studies 'Breakthrough' COVID Cases Among People Already Vaccinated: Shots - Health News: NPR

https://www.doh.wa.gov/Newsroom/Articles/ID/2740/Update-on-vaccine-breakthrough-cases-in-Washington-state