I’ve come to view May through July of this year as the “honeymoon phase” for COVID-19. Following a brutal winter surge in cases and fatalities, numbers began to decline across many regions in the U.S. A significant number of essential workers and older individuals were fully vaccinated, and those of us eager to get vaccinated finally had access to the shots. We were joyfully reconnecting with friends and family, sharing long-awaited hugs and heartfelt moments.
Social media was filled with reunion photos tagged with #thankyouscience and #vaccinesbringuscloser. These vaccines felt miraculous, guiding us toward the light at the end of this crisis. With mRNA vaccines showing about 95% efficacy, the CDC assured us that even if vaccinated individuals did contract the virus, they were unlikely to spread it.
We, the fully vaccinated, felt shielded, even with younger children still ineligible for the vaccine. We assumed that socializing with other vaccinated individuals would allow us to resume normalcy. Then came news about the Delta variant, a highly transmissible strain of COVID-19 that posed a threat to the vaccines’ effectiveness. Reports emerged of fully vaccinated people contracting Delta. Although these instances were generally mild, they involved healthy individuals who had received their vaccinations.
What was happening?
My anxiety spiked when I encountered a Twitter thread by Mark Thompson, who shared that his entire family caught COVID-19, despite three members being fully vaccinated. His unvaccinated child was the initial carrier, leading to the virus spreading through the family. While his vaccinated teen remained asymptomatic, he and his wife fell ill.
Like many fully vaccinated individuals experiencing breakthrough infections, Mark and his wife had relatively mild cases and recovered at home. Health experts agree that even though Delta can evade some vaccine protections, the vaccines still offer substantial defense against severe illness and death. Dr. Anthony Fauci emphasized in the New York Times that vaccine success is measured by its ability to prevent serious disease. The Times also noted that over 97% of COVID-19 hospitalizations involved unvaccinated individuals.
The CDC doesn’t track mild breakthrough infections, making it challenging to gauge the current situation. While reports of breakthrough cases have increased, it remains unclear what the actual risk is for vaccinated individuals. Estimates of the vaccines’ effectiveness against Delta have varied, indicating a decrease from 88% to as low as 39%.
These developments have left many wondering, “Why is this happening? Why aren’t vaccines providing stronger protection against this virus?”
As science writer Olivia Chen explains in the New York Times, there are several reasons for breakthrough infections. The Delta variant is particularly concerning due to its higher infectiousness. It is twice as transmissible as earlier COVID strains, and those infected with Delta carry a viral load that is a thousand times greater. This means that when a vaccinated person encounters Delta, their immune system faces a heavier burden. Although their immune system is primed by the vaccine, the challenge is significantly tougher, allowing the virus a better chance to establish an infection.
Chen notes that a vaccinated individual exposed to a lower viral dose may not experience noticeable infection, while those exposed to high viral loads are more likely to have their immune defenses overwhelmed. Fortunately, because vaccinated individuals have a robust immune response to COVID-19, they are generally able to clear the virus more quickly and with milder symptoms.
Given these insights, many public health experts are recommending that even fully vaccinated people resume precautions such as indoor masking. While vaccines are remarkable, the current prevalence of highly transmissible variants necessitates a layered approach to protection, as public health advocate Sam Roberts explains.
Personally, I’ve continued to wear masks indoors because I have a child who is too young to be vaccinated, and I want to minimize any risk of bringing the virus home. With the likelihood of breakthrough infections rising, I am more cautious than ever.
As Dr. Lisa Green points out, a significant factor in this situation is the large number of unvaccinated individuals in the country. The combination of a highly contagious variant and many unvaccinated people leads to increased virus circulation, which heightens the risk for vaccinated individuals.
This highlights yet again that the pandemic is a collective challenge. It’s not solely about individual safety; the vaccines are most effective when a substantial portion of the population is vaccinated. The Delta variant is a clear indication that we have more work to do.
So, to everyone who is still unvaccinated, could you please consider getting your shot? It would help ease the burden on those of us who have already done our part.
For more insights on this topic, check out our related blog post here, and for excellent resources on pregnancy and home insemination, visit this guide on IUI.
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Summary
Vaccinated individuals are experiencing breakthrough COVID-19 infections, particularly due to the highly transmissible Delta variant. While vaccines remain effective at preventing severe illness, the increased viral load associated with Delta poses a greater risk. Reports of mild breakthrough cases have risen, highlighting the need for continued precautions, especially in light of a significant unvaccinated population. The pandemic underscores the collective responsibility to achieve widespread vaccination for optimal protection.