Infection after Vaccination?

[MeganMN]

We have been admitting a large amount of people who have become infected after their first round of vaccine, before they get their second. Are any others out there seeing this?  Do you think it is because they are dropping their guard too soon? Is there any evidence that they are sicker as a result? Or less sick?  Let me know your experience!

[CommunityRNBSN, BSN, RN]

I am vaccinating full time. I had a patient arrive today for her second shot, and she told me that in between her first and her second shot, she caught Covid! A mild case though. We laughed about her bad luck. I’ve been vaccinating since Christmas Eve (primarily with Moderna although a few weeks of JNJ) and this is the first such report I’ve ever heard. 

[CABGpatch_RN, BSN]

Quote

 

COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough infections reported to CDC as of April 20

As of April 20, 2021, more than 87 million people in the United States had been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Total number of vaccine breakthrough infections reported to CDC  7,157

Females  4,580 (64%)

People aged ≥60 years  3,265 (46%)

Asymptomatic infections  2,078 (31%)

Hospitalizations*  498 (7%)

Deaths†  88 (1%)

*167 (34%) of the 498 hospitalizations were reported as asymptomatic or not related to COVID-19.
†11 (13%) of the 88 fatal cases were reported as asymptomatic or not related to COVID-19.

 

https://www.CDC.gov/vaccines/covid-19/health-departments/breakthrough-cases.html

I started hearing about the breakthrough covid cases of fully vaccinated people a few weeks ago.  The last number I remember was ~5800 cases.  More up to date info has been added at the CDC website.  So it is happening.  I wouldn't call these large numbers however.

[akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P]

Let me see: ~7,200 "breakthrough" cases out of ~87,000,000. Roughly 500 hospitalizations and roughly 90 deaths out of ~87,000,000. Looks to me like the vaccines are working quite well. 

[MeganMN]

It is interesting to think about.  I have another patient today that tested positive after vaccination (both doses).  She was asymptomatic, however, so it makes me wonder if the 'breakthrough' numbers could actually be much higher, but the vaccine is helping them to not have moderate or severe illness.  Just speculation, but wondering..... 

[toomuchbaloney]

1 hour ago, MeganMN said:

It is interesting to think about.  I have another patient today that tested positive after vaccination (both doses).  She was asymptomatic, however, so it makes me wonder if the 'breakthrough' numbers could actually be much higher, but the vaccine is helping them to not have moderate or severe illness.  Just speculation, but wondering..... 

She must have been in the ED for another issue? Vaccination doesn't prevent us from exposure to virus, it prevents us from growing large quantities of virus or variants, getting sick and spreading it, right? This phenomenon will decrease in frequency if we can convince the vaccine hesitant to get vaccinated.  Once we achieve vaccine mediated herd immunity these cases will become evidence of new outbreaks rather than evidence of an ongoing pandemic. 

[CABGpatch_RN, BSN]

11 hours ago, MeganMN said:

....but the vaccine is helping them to not have moderate or severe illness. 

This is exactly what the vaccine is intended to do.  It keeps us from serious disease or dying.  It does not mean we cannot get exposed and carry the virus.  That's why we need to be vigilant about wearing masks and being socially responsible.