What is your Actual Risk of becoming sick with COVID-19 after vaccination?
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The “Breakthrough Infections”
A breakthrough infection is a case of illness in which a vaccinated individual becomes sick from the same illness that the vaccine is meant to prevent. Breakthrough infections can and do happen to people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. However, the risk is very miniscule. COVID-19 vaccines offer considerable protection against severe disease. In extremely rare cases, some vaccinated people have been hospitalized or died after developing COVID-19.
Hospitalization and Mortality rate
People who are vaccinated are far less likely to develop COVID-19 and to be hospitalized or die from the disease. Only in few rare cases, people are sick enough to require hospitalization, despite having been vaccinated. But, the risk of death is still very low, even if you require hospitalization, as a vaccinated person.
Why are we seeing “Breakthrough Infections”?
Basically, we’re seeing these as the confluence of two things - waning immunity from vaccination and the Delta variant, which is twice as infectious as the original coronavirus variant, happening at the same time. Booster shots will provide increased protection.
What should we do?
- Getting fully vaccinated, if you still aren’t, as it substantially reduces your risk of infection and reduces your risk of hospitalization and death by an even greater degree.
- Do not let your guard down. It’s important to wear masks and follow the general precautionary norms even if you’re vaccinated.
- It’s possible to have COVID-19 and the seasonal flu at the same time, so getting the booster once it’s approved plus a flu shot is a good idea.
Valuable External References:
WHO’s Science in 5 on COVID-19: Can I get infected after vaccination?