[ad_1]
Is delta the leading cause of breakthrough infections?
The delta variant has become the dominant strain of COVID-19 in this region and across the United States, as it is much more infectious than the original strain of the virus. Delta now accounts for more than 90% of new cases nationwide, reports the CDC.
“If you look at what has happened just over the past few days, we have had over 100,000 cases of COVID and we have had over 500 deaths. These are similar numbers to what we saw last summer, when we had a fully susceptible population and we didn’t have a vaccine, ”Offit said.
“The delta variant… is just a lot more contagious than the virus that circulated last year, so much so that it is able to find this susceptible population and cause infection,” he said.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in July found that two doses of the Pfizer vaccine were 88% effective in preventing symptomatic delta variant disease, compared to about 95% for the original strain. Data from Israel estimated lower efficacy against symptomatic illnesses, but said protection against serious illnesses remains high.
Concerns about variants are the reason there is so much debate about the need for booster injections.
“We know, thanks to the flu, that we need a flu shot every year to prevent infection. So we’re probably heading towards something similar with SARS-CoV-2, ”said Dr. Benjamin Abramoff, director of the University of Pennsylvania’s Post-COVID Assessment and Recovery Clinic.
“But again,” he noted, “vaccines are really very effective in decreasing the pathogenesis of infection. So you are much, much better even though there is no perfect match. between the variant you are vaccinated against and a variant you are infected with later. ”
Offit believes behavioral changes also play a role in breakthrough infections.
“We were much better last summer at masking, social distancing, not getting together in large groups. This is not true this summer, ”he said.
If there is a risk of a breakthrough infection, why get vaccinated?
Health experts have said – and data from across the United States reflects it – that those who are not vaccinated are at a higher risk of becoming infected and developing serious illness or dying. Additionally, experts said, unvaccinated people who contract COVID-19 may face long-term consequences or even symptoms of “long COVID”.
There is a small chance of contracting COVID-19 after vaccination, but the vaccine reduces a person’s chances of being hospitalized, which health experts say is the most important thing.
“They shouldn’t assume that being vaccinated gives them 100% protection – it doesn’t,” Weiss said.
He offered this analogy to explain the importance of vaccination:
“There are people who are afraid to leave their homes and cross the street because they could be hit by a vehicle. That’s right, they could be. And it is true that if they stay indoors over time, they are less likely to be run over by a vehicle. The number of cars and trucks that dig into people’s homes is limited, but they do the news media, ”Weiss said.
“But it is safe for the general public to come out, take reasonable precautions, look both ways before crossing and crossing the street. The vaccine helps you cross the street safely, ”he said.
“It’s not perfect. You got a car going 100 miles an hour, you can’t see them, they hit you. OK, you’ve done your best, but that’s no reason to say you shouldn’t get the shot. Vaccination helps… using your eyes and ears to cross the street helps – it’s not perfect. So, people cannot strive for perfection in medicine, they cannot achieve absolute predictability. But you are gambling with your life if you don’t get the vaccine, and worse yet, you are gambling that it won’t affect the people you love.
Weiss said it was important to get the vaccine for other reasons as well.
“” And if you die from this infection, which is quite possible, what will happen to your children? “Then that person can rethink the need to protect themselves and get vaccinated,” he said.
Children under 12 are not yet eligible to be vaccinated, and while there have not been as many COVID-related deaths in children as in adults, there have been many deaths. Getting the vaccine also protects children, Weiss said.
I have been vaccinated. How can I prevent a breakthrough infection?
If you’ve been vaccinated, you’re very unlikely to get seriously ill from COVID-19, Offit said. However, you could get an infection that is asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic.
Vaccinations are never foolproof, experts said, and while those vaccinated can resume some pre-COVID activities outdoors without masks, they should wear well-fitting masks indoors.
“It’s a good belt and suspender approach,” said Offit. “I think that’s going to mean you don’t really get an infection – asymptomatic, mildly symptomatic, or more severe symptomatic, or serious illness.”
The masks are very effective against all variants of the virus, Abramoff added.
[ad_2]
Source link