Neurological

CDC: Breakthrough COVID-19 Vaccine Infections Investigated

Among 101 million people fully vaccinated in 46 states and territories were up to 30 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In this report, breakthrough vaccine infection was defined as the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA or antigen in a respiratory sample obtained from a person at least 14 days after receiving all recommended doses of an FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine. Of the 10,262 reported infections, over 60% occurred in women (n = 6446), and the median patient age was 58 years (interquartile range 40-74 years). The results showed that 27% (n = 2725) of the breakthrough infections were asymptomatic.

Of the hospitalized patients (n = 995), 29% (n = 289) were asymptomatic or hospitalized for a reason not related to COVID-19. The mean age of the deceased was 82 years (interquartile range 71-89 years) and 28 (18%) of the 160 deaths were reported as asymptomatic or unrelated to COVID-19.

Continue reading

Sequence data were available for a total of 555 (5%) cases, of which 356 (64%) were identified as SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. These included B.1.1.7 (n = 199; 56%), B.1.429 (n = 88; 25%), B.1.427 (n = 28; 8%), P.1 (n = 28; 8%) ) and B.1.351 (n = 13; 4%).

“Although FDA-approved vaccines are highly effective, breakthrough cases are expected, especially before population immunity reaches levels sufficient to further reduce transmission,” noted the CDC’s COVID-19 Vaccine Breakthrough Case Investigations Team in their report. “The number of COVID-19 cases, hospital admissions, and deaths prevented in vaccinated individuals will far outnumber breakthrough vaccine cases.”

In an effort to focus on cases of highest clinical and public concern, the CDC has moved to investigate only breakthrough vaccine cases that result in hospitalization or death.

reference

Birhane M., Bressler S., Chang G. et al. Breakthrough Vaccine Infections Reported to CDC – United States, January 1 to April 30, 2021. [published online May, 25, 2021]. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7021e3

This article originally appeared on MPR

Related Articles