COVID-19 VACCINES: 'Break through' infections reported among vaccinated persons increasing.

By S. Gordon-Jeffery

COVID-19 cell in human blood stream

In a previous article, I shared that at least one of the COVID-19 vaccines was less effective against certain strains of the novel coronavirus. What researchers call 'break through infections' were reported in persons who had received the Pfizer vaccine.

What are 'break through' cases?

A 'break through' case is simply explained as a person who has been fully vaccinated contracting a disease they were to be fully protected against. In this case the COVID-19 virus has been reported to be infecting the fully vaccinated.

CDC stats

Though concerned about these cases, scientists are touting that these infections are extremely rare. But is this a fact? According to Bloomberg, the CDC's Tom Clark  

who heads the COVID-19 vaccine evaluation unit for the organization, said that the CDC has been tracking 9,245 of these "extremely rare" infection cases through to the end of April (Bloomberg: 'Why Some Vaccinated People Still Get Covid'). 

More cases than can be counted

Significantly, the Bloomberg article also noted that this CDC figure was not, I repeat, not a complete figure. The agency revealed they were not able to track and report every breakthrough case. 

Is the CDC indirectly saying that there are so many cases they cannot track them all?!  

In May, the agency decided to only focus on tracking and monitoring cases that led to hospitalization or death. Yes, you read correctly, there have been persons who caught COVID-19 after being fully vaccinated and died from Covid. 

Some protection, right? 

100% protection?

As an argument to defend the vaccines, some experts have said the pharmaceutical companies never promised that there vaccines would be 100% effective. For Pfizer, the efficacy rate was 95%, Moderna was ranked at 94%. For AstraZeneca's vaccine, they reported an efficacy of 76% after a first dose, with protection maintained to the second dose, with improvement of protection to 82% after an interval of 12 weeks or more (AstraZeneca: 'COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca provides 100% protection against disease, hospitalisation and death in the primary analysis phase III trials'). All these ratings were established during Phase 3 vaccine trials. 

But is this true? Vaccine makers did not claim 100% protection?

Recently, Pfizer claimed 100% protection against the B.1.351 variant in a trial of 800 participants, they conducted in South Africa, after receiving WHO approval. See here for reference. Even Moderna, though saying their vaccine was 94.1% effective against symptomatic Covid, noted it was 100% effective against severe Covid disease (Reuters). 

Likewise AstraZeneca, in February 2021, made similar claims in its article 'COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca provides 100% protection against disease, hospitalisation and death in the primary analysis phase III trials', that their vaccine also  provided 100% protection against severe Covid symptoms.

So several vaccine makers have claimed 100% protection against COVID-19 at some point in time. Whether the trials were done pre or post approval for use, those claims were made.

Let's get back to what the CDC revealed. The statistics imply that some fully vaccinated persons can and apparently have fallen ill from the coronavirus. Also unfortunately, some persons have died post vaccination. Unfortunate, but true. 

An Extremely Rare Case?

In May 2021, it was revealed that famous comedian/television host, Bill Maher, had tested positive for COVID-19, and he was fully inoculated —he got both his shots! According to CNN, the host of HBO's "Real Time with Bill Maher" tweeted his thanks to supporters Friday, who expressed concern for his health. This was his response: 

"Thanks to all wishing me get well - hard to do since I feel perfectly fine, but I appreciate it! Most upset about ending my streak going back to 1993 of never missing a Politically Incorrect or Real Time episode. Oh well, even Cal Ripken had to sit one out at some point."

— Bill Maher (@billmaher) May 14, 2021

The official twitter account for Maher's show tweeted about his test result Thursday evening.

"Bill tested positive during weekly staff PCR testing for COVID. He is fully vaccinated and as a result is asymptomatic and feels fine."   

— Real Time with Bill Maher (@RealTimers) May 13, 2021

See official tweet here: pic.twitter.com/dSBoyr1U5c

A spokesperson for HBO, which is owned by CNN's parent company, WarnerMedia, also confirmed the news to the media.

Due to Maher's positive test result, the show scheduled for Friday, May 14, 2021, was canceled and rescheduled for taping at a later date. 

The Bill Maher case has drawn a lot of attention, just because of who he is and his popularity. No one can ignore or deny what has happened to him. However, let's face the truth, we could be potentially talking about thousands of other persons who are fully vaccinated, have caught Covid and become ill, or in Mr. Maher's case, caught the virus and are asymptomatic. If he hadn't done that routine staff PCR test, he wouldn't have known and could have potentially passed the infection on to others. Fortunately, none of the other staff members tested positive, but it doesn't mean in his daily interactions, he may not have passed it on to someone else and been totally unaware! 

This could also be true for others who have let their guard down because they are fully vaccinated, and believe they are safe, protected and no longer a threat to their loved ones or other persons.

Scientists believe that those who have been vaccinated, even if they contract an infection, will have a milder case than they would have otherwise, though it’s still being studied. Well, some persons may be fortunate to have mild symptoms or none like Bill Maher, but not all have been this lucky. If you haven't read the article I wrote about the New Jersey doctor read it here. Within a few days of testing positive for the virus he fell ill and died. He went to India to help his family and never made it back home.

So what is the truth?

The truth is, there are millions of persons who are walking around believing they are fully protected against the coronavirus when they may not be. Already in the United States, there are documented cases of persons who have caught the virus after full inoculation and some have died. The CDC has admitted that their numbers are not a full and accurate picture of what is happening in this war against Covid in the country. 

Think of all the other countries that have vaccinated their populations. Are they safe? No! The recently released study I mentioned in a previous article cited via the link above ('COVID-19: New mutant strains are a real threat to vaccine protection') shows that the fully vaccinated in other countries are also catching COVID-19.

What can you do?

Continue to observe the safety protocols, vaccinated or unvaccinated, for your sake and the sake of those around you. Wear your mask, social distance and sanitize/wash hands thoroughly, and naturally boost your body's immune system.

_______________

References:

Court, Emma. 'Why Some Vaccinated People Still Get Covid'. Bloomberg. Published 16 May 2021.  https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2021-05-16/why-some-vaccinated-people-still-get-covid

Reuters. 'Fact check: COVID-19 vaccines have been found to prevent death; more data needed on whether and to what extent they prevent transmission'. Published 9 February 2021. https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-factcheck-vaccines-transmission-idUSKBN2A92YL

AstraZeneca. 'COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca provides 100% protection against disease, hospitalisation and death in the primary analysis phase III trials'. Published 3 February 2021. https://www.astrazeneca.com/media-centre/press-releases/2021/covid-19-vaccine-astrazeneca-confirms-protection-against-severe-disease-hospitalisation-and-death-in-the-primary-analysis-of-phase-iii-trials.html

France, Lisa Respers. 'Bill Maher thanks fans following COVID-19 diagnosis'. CNN Entertainment. Published 14 May 2021. https://edition.cnn.com/2021/05/14/entertainment/bill-maher-covid-trnd/index.html