Technologies

Breakthrough COVID cases among the fully vaccinated are real. Here’s the latest

A CDC report provides evidence that the delta variant is transmissible in vaccinated people who get infected. But that’s not a reason to question vaccines, experts say.

For the most up-to-date news and information about the coronavirus pandemic, visit the WHO and CDC websites.

COVID-19 infections are surging throughout the US again (more than 95,000 new cases on Thursday) due to the highly contagious delta variant, with outbreaks particularly impacting areas with low vaccination rates. This week, a new study released by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the delta infection has similarly high viral loads in vaccinated and unvaccinated people. So what does that mean as more of these breakthrough cases are happening?

Currently, 164 million people in the US have been fully vaccinated, nearly half the country’s total population. The CDC’s research suggesting that vaccinated people infected with delta can also easily transmit the virus was the key factor motivating the new federal guidance that fully vaccinated individuals continue to wear masks indoors. At the same time, the CDC report underlines that the number of cases and deaths among fully vaccinated people is very small compared with the number among the unvaccinated.

Should you be concerned about getting COVID-19 if you’ve been inoculated? Since there’s more community spread and there are more breakthrough cases despite vaccination, new data suggests yes. We’ll explain what a breakthrough coronavirus infection is, how it’s possible for fully vaccinated people to become infected and what it all means. This information comes from the CDC, the World Health Organization and other experts.

What’s a breakthrough COVID-19 infection?

A breakthrough COVID-19 infection is when a fully vaccinated person becomes infected with the coronavirus without any symptoms, experiences symptoms, is hospitalized or dies from the infection. A small percentage of fully vaccinated people can get COVID-19 if exposed to the virus, but they’re much less likely to become sick, according to the CDC.

If someone’s fully vaccinated and does test positive for coronavirus, it’s likely they’ll have milder symptoms (see below) or be asymptomatic, Dr. Clare Rock, a Johns Hopkins medical professor, told me.

Now that it’s been found that fully vaccinated people can be infected with high viral amounts of the delta variant, the CDC is concerned they can transmit the virus. If you do become ill, experts urge you to isolate yourself to prevent others from getting sick, especially people with medical vulnerabilities.

How can fully vaccinated people become infected with coronavirus?

Someone can become infected with COVID-19 just before or right after they get the vaccination, because it takes roughly two weeks before the vaccine is most effective. However, even after the immunity builds up, there’s still a chance they can become infected, according to the WHO, since the vaccines aren’t silver bullets against disease (though they’re highly effective).

With millions of unvaccinated people around the world, new variants will emerge, Rock says. For example, the delta variant can pose a threat to people who are fully vaccinated — especially those who have high-risk medical conditions (see the next section).

Are COVID-19 symptoms still severe if you’ve been fully vaccinated?

Someone who’s fully vaccinated has a much smaller risk of experiencing severe symptoms from COVID-19. People who’ve received all their doses of a vaccine are less likely to be hospitalized or die than those who haven’t been vaccinated, the CDC says. Vaccinated people typically see symptoms like a runny nose, which they mistake for a sign of a common cold, Rock said.

But that’s not to say serious cases can’t happen. The CDC says some fully vaccinated people can still be hospitalized and die. This can include people who have medical conditions that make them immunocompromised, Rock said, including those with cancer and people who’ve had organ transplants — in general, people who are more vulnerable.

How can you stay protected from breakthrough infections?

If you’re fully vaccinated but worried about getting sick, you can take the following precautions.

Wear a mask in public places.
Practice social distancing.
Keep your home well-ventilated by opening windows.
Wash your hands.
Get a COVID-19 test if you’re experiencing symptoms.

Will fully vaccinated people need booster shots in the future?

At this time, there’s not a clear answer. Though some people say a booster shot may be necessary down the line, the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration don’t agree with that, at least not yet. Scientists are continuing to study the immunity of fully vaccinated people to get a better idea of how well the vaccines protect them.

Moderna is currently researching if and when a booster shot may be necessary. For instance, vulnerable people who don’t have a robust immune system, such as those with serious medical conditions, may need an additional shot, Rock said.

Pfizer says it’s working on a booster shot for its COVID-19 vaccine (PDF) to enhance immunity for those who’ve already received both doses. The UK is also prepping for booster shots, with vaccine experts in Britain saying a booster shot may be needed before winter.

Which variants are the cause of the breakthrough infections?

The variant causing the most concern right now is the delta variant, which is now the dominant strain in the US and other countries. This variant has caused an increase in COVID-19 cases, which is also affecting people who are fully vaccinated.

In comparison with the alpha variant, researchers have found delta to be 60% more transmissible, and hospitalization risks are much higher in unvaccinated people.

In most instances, the cases are happening in areas with low vaccination rates. For instance, US states like Louisiana and Florida have low vaccination rates and their COVID-19 cases are surging again.

What are experts saying about the efficacy of vaccines against COVID-19?

The breakthrough infections don’t mean the vaccines aren’t powerful.

“The effectiveness against severe disease is still substantial,” Dr. Anthony Fauci said during a White House press briefing July 22. “Get vaccinated. It offers good protection against disease.”

For more information, here’s everything to know about the delta variant. Also, here are more details about a potential COVID-19 booster shot, and here’s info on the debate over whether fully vaccinated people should wear masks.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

Technologies

Chinese authorities reportedly in possession of F-35 components in Hong Kong

Shipping giant UPS was sending a cockpit canopy and weapons bay door to the U.S. from Australia in late May when it was diverted to Hong Kong.

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Technologies

Family First CEO departs after posting ‘Lake America’ sweatshirt photo

Family First CEO Jane Smith has left the credit union after posting a photo of her family in “Lake America” sweatshirts, prompting an apology and an interim CEO appointment. The departure follows a controversial post that mocked a recent U.S. proposal to rename Lake Ontario.

The chief executive of the Michigan‑based credit union Family First has left the organization, just days after she shared a photo that appeared to show her family wearing “Lake America” sweatshirts. A statement posted on the credit union’s website on Wednesday announced that Jane Smith was no longer employed by Family First “effective immediately,” with Chief Operations Officer Jason Acosta stepping in as interim CEO. The announcement was signed by Maurice Patterson, chairman of the Family First Credit Union board, and by Acosta.

Family First did not explicitly say that the public reaction to the post was the reason for Smith’s departure, though the credit union issued a Thursday apology, stating, “We sincerely apologize for the concern, disappointment and pain this situation has caused our members and community.” The credit union is headquartered in Michigan, a state that shares a border with Canada.

On September 11, Smith posted the picture on Facebook with the caption: “Like our sweatshirts? Not sure Canada will. Lol lol.” The post has since been removed from Facebook, according to CBC News.

U.S. President Donald Trump declared last month that Lake Ontario, which lies on the U.S.–Canadian border, would be renamed “Lake America.” The decision sparked widespread criticism from Canadians, Prime Minister Mark Carney and even the animated series “South Park,” which temporarily changed its name to “South America” as a satirical response to the president’s order.

In a September 17 interview with ABC12 News in Michigan, Smith said the image originally contained an artificial‑intelligence marker but was later reposted by her sister without that marker. “We weren’t trying to make a political statement,” Smith reportedly explained, “but we were kind of poking fun at the fact that one of the Great Lakes’ names was being changed.”

Family First had earlier released a statement to ABC12 News saying it “unequivocally disapproves and rejects the content of the social media post involving our CEO, Jane Smith.” Meanwhile, U.S. Representative Timothy Kennedy of New York has introduced legislation aimed at blocking Trump’s effort to rename Lake Ontario and preventing any future renaming of the five Great Lakes.

Technologies

Oil prices fall after Iran asks U.S. to return to failed memorandum of understanding from June

Iran has asked the U.S. to meet the same conditions laid out in the June 17 memorandum of understanding, Iran’s foreign minister said.

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