Why Vaccinated Individuals Are Experiencing ‘Breakthrough’ Infections

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I’ve come to refer to the period from May to July of last year as the “honeymoon phase” of COVID-19. After a devastating winter surge in cases and deaths, infection rates began to drop significantly across the U.S. Many essential workers and older adults were fully vaccinated, and those of us eager for the vaccine could finally access it. Reunions with friends and family were happening, filled with long-awaited hugs and emotional moments.

We shared joyful photos of our gatherings on social media with hashtags like #thankyouscience and #vaccinesbringuscloser. The vaccines felt miraculous, guiding us toward a hopeful end to this crisis. With mRNA vaccines boasting around 95% effectiveness, the CDC assured us that vaccinated individuals were unlikely to transmit the virus, even if they contracted it.

Those of us who were fully vaccinated felt shielded, assuming we could safely gather with other vaccinated individuals. However, the emergence of the Delta variant—far more transmissible than earlier strains—began to challenge that sense of security. Reports of fully vaccinated individuals becoming infected with Delta surfaced, raising concerns despite the infections being mostly mild. What was happening?

I personally felt a surge of anxiety when I encountered a Twitter thread by Alex Thompson, who recounted how his family contracted COVID, even though three out of four were fully vaccinated. His unvaccinated child was the initial carrier, leading to a spread within the household. While his vaccinated teenager tested positive with no symptoms, both he and his wife fell ill.

Fortunately, like most vaccinated people experiencing breakthrough cases, they faced relatively mild symptoms and recovered at home. Experts emphasize that even with Delta’s ability to evade some vaccine protection, the vaccines remain highly effective against severe illness and fatalities. “This doesn’t indicate an ineffective vaccine,” Dr. Smith explained to the New York Times. “Vaccine success is measured by its ability to prevent serious illness.” The Times noted that more than 97% of COVID hospitalizations involve unvaccinated individuals.

Currently, the CDC does not track mild breakthrough infections, making it difficult to grasp the full picture. While news reports indicate an increase in these cases, the actual likelihood of a vaccinated person facing a breakthrough infection remains uncertain. Estimates of vaccine efficacy against Delta have varied widely—from 88% down to a concerning 39%.

This leads many to wonder: why are these infections occurring? Science writer Linda Martinez highlights that breakthrough infections can happen for various reasons, with the Delta variant being particularly problematic due to its heightened transmissibility. Delta is twice as infectious as earlier strains, and those infected carry viral loads up to a thousand times higher.

When a vaccinated person encounters the Delta variant, their immune system has a more formidable challenge. Though primed by the vaccine, the elevated viral load can overwhelm defenses. Martinez elaborates, “A vaccinated person exposed to a low viral dose may avoid infection, while high viral loads increase the likelihood of breakthrough cases.” However, because the immune system is already familiar with COVID, individuals are often able to clear the infection more quickly and with fewer severe symptoms.

In light of these developments, public health experts are recommending that even those fully vaccinated resume precautionary measures, including wearing masks indoors. Vaccination remains a powerful tool, but with the circulation of such highly contagious variants, a “layered” approach to protection is increasingly advisable, as noted by health advocate Sarah Johnson. Personally, I never ceased wearing masks indoors, especially since I have a young child at home who isn’t eligible for vaccination. As the risk of breakthrough infections rises, my vigilance has only increased.

Moreover, as Dr. Emily Chen points out, the challenge is compounded by the significant number of unvaccinated individuals in our country. With a highly contagious variant and a large unvaccinated population, the amount of circulating virus increases, raising the chances of vaccinated individuals contracting it. This underscores the reality that the pandemic is a collective responsibility. The effectiveness of vaccines improves with widespread vaccination.

So, to those still unvaccinated, could you please consider getting vaccinated? It’s essential for the well-being of all of us.

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Summary:

The Delta variant has increased the number of breakthrough infections among vaccinated individuals, challenging the perceived effectiveness of the vaccines. Despite the heightened transmissibility of Delta, the vaccines continue to provide significant protection against severe illness. Public health experts recommend that even vaccinated people resume precautions, as the pandemic remains a collective effort impacted by the vaccination status of the wider community.

Keyphrase: breakthrough infections in vaccinated individuals

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