HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — According to the CDC, at least 5,800 fully vaccinated people in the United States have gotten COVID-19. That number is out of over 75 million fully vaccinated people meaning far less than 1% got sick after being vaccinated.
The CDC defines a breakthrough infection as someone who tests positive for COVID-19 more than two weeks after getting both doses of the COVID vaccine.
Out of the over 75 million fully vaccinated individuals reported to the CDC, 45% of the vaccine breakthrough infections were in people over 60 years old, 65% were women, and 29% were reported as asymptomatic.
No vaccines are 100% effective at preventing illness, and some breakthrough cases are expected. Doctors say the numbers reported so far prove the COVID vaccines are working.
Even with this data, many people are still skeptical of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Doctors say even though there is a very small chance of getting the virus after being vaccinated, getting the shot has several benefits.
The chance of severe illness and death from COVID-19 is greatly reduced when you get the vaccine.
Dr. Ali Hassoun said, "If you look at those who passed away, it was only 74 out of the 75 million, so that proved the concept actually that the vaccine is very effective and works well."
Just 7% of those who got COVID-19 after being vaccinated were hospitalized. Researchers say this proves that even for those who get infected after being vaccinated, they are much more likely to not be hospitalized with the virus.
COVID variants are expected to be the cause of many breakthrough cases; however, the CDC reports vaccines authorized for use protect against most COVID-19 variants circulating in the United States.
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