New Findings Indicate Breakthrough COVID Infections Are Extremely Uncommon

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A recent study involving over a million vaccinated individuals has revealed that the likelihood of experiencing a breakthrough COVID-19 infection is exceedingly low. As COVID-19 cases surge across the country, fueled by new variants and a divisive debate on the effectiveness of masks and vaccines, concerns about contracting the virus—even for those fully vaccinated—are completely understandable.

However, this new research may provide some reassurance, as it demonstrates that vaccines still deliver robust protection against severe illness and hospitalization. Published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, the study was conducted in the U.K. between December 2020 and July 2021.

The researchers gathered data from more than 1 million participants during this period, which included both the alpha variant and the delta variant waves in the U.K. All participants had received two doses of either the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or AstraZeneca vaccines. They reported any positive COVID-19 test results occurring at least 14 days after their first dose (but before the second) or at least 7 days after their second dose, ensuring there were no positive tests before receiving the first dose.

Key Findings

Are you ready to feel a bit more at ease? The findings revealed that 6,030 participants tested positive for COVID-19 after their first dose, and 2,370 tested positive after their second. While these numbers may seem significant, they actually represent less than 0.5 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively.

Moreover, the study indicated that when breakthrough infections did happen, the majority of participants reported no symptoms at all—only six percent experienced symptoms. It’s important to remember that asymptomatic individuals can still spread the virus, which poses a risk to those who are not fully vaccinated.

In addition to most breakthrough infections being mild or asymptomatic, the study showed that full vaccination reduced the risk of hospitalization by over two-thirds and halved the chances of developing long-term symptoms.

Additional Studies

In even more encouraging news, two additional studies released on the same day examined breakthrough infections among healthcare workers, revealing a similarly low risk among fully vaccinated individuals. A study published in JAMA Network Open assessed more than 5,300 vaccinated healthcare workers in Israel from January to March of this year and found 27 infections, slightly above 0.5 percent. No fatalities were reported, and only one fully vaccinated individual was hospitalized. However, it is worth mentioning that this research was conducted before the delta variant emerged in Israel.

The third study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, identified 94 symptomatic breakthrough infections among more than 16,000 healthcare workers between March and July as the delta variant gained traction in the U.S. Although breakthrough infections increased over time, this highlights concerns regarding the potential waning efficacy of current vaccines against the delta variant and other strains.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the most effective way to safeguard yourself and your loved ones—and to help bring the pandemic to an end—is to get vaccinated as soon as possible and to receive a booster shot when eligible. There are truly no alternatives at this point.

For further insights, consider exploring this related blog post or check out this authoritative source on the topic. Additionally, the World Health Organization provides excellent resources regarding pregnancy and home insemination.

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Summary:

Recent research indicates that breakthrough COVID-19 infections are rare among vaccinated individuals, with most cases being asymptomatic. The study highlights the continued effectiveness of vaccines in preventing severe illness and hospitalization, reinforcing the importance of vaccination and booster shots.