Although Covid-19 vaccines have reduced the number of deaths caused by the virus infection, it seems that not everyone is lucky enough to survive a breakthrough. In rare cases, some people get very ill after the second dose of the vaccine.
According to a survey, people over 65 are more likely to get sick or die if they get the virus after being vaccinated. However, other cases show that people with a lower immunity system or severe medical conditions are also likely to be affected.
“Throughout the pandemic, people who died of Covid-19 were most likely to be older, and that continues to be true with breakthrough cases,” said a spokesperson for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
However, the US is not the only country that faces these types of rare cases. Dr. Tal Brosh, Head of the infectious disease unit at Assuta Ashdod University Hospital in Israel, confirms.
“If you’re vaccinated and you have a lot of co-morbidities or you are immunocompromised, you are not that well protected as someone else who is vaccinated,” said Brosh.
Sadly enough, the vulnerable people from the beginning of the pandemic are more likely to suffer more consequences after a breakthrough. Advanced age, high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease, patients taking medications to suppress their immune system following an organ transplant or cancer diagnosis are just a few examples that can put a person’s life in danger in the case of a breakthrough.
Despite the sad news, the vaccines are still effective, say the experts. Unfortunately, no vaccine is capable of combating an infection 100%. So far, 5,500 people were either in the hospital or died because of a breakthrough. Other states are keeping track of these issues as well.
According to Dr. Jay Butler, head of the Covid-19 response at the CDC, “even if infection occurs, it reduces the risk of hospitalization.”
Therefore, respecting the implemented security measures against Covid-19 is still very vital.
“Until we control transmission in the community very well, they should not consider themselves very protected,” Brosh said.