Breakthrough Infections in COVID-19

October 18,2021
2 Min Read

As per the WHO, a breakthrough COVID-19 infection occurs when you contact the infection and test positive, 2 weeks after taking the 2nd dose of the vaccine.

How common are COVID-19 breakthrough infections?

At Suburban Diagnostics, we conducted a study in the month of September 2021 and found the incidence of COVID-19 breakthrough infections among completely vaccinated individuals was 6.2%. We also found that 87.5% of people with breakthrough infections were above the age of 40 years.

Why are COVID-19 breakthrough infections happening?

Vaccine breakthrough infections are expected. COVID-19 vaccines are effective at preventing most infections. However, like other vaccines, they are not 100% effective.

Are COVID-19 vaccines still effective?

According to the CDC:

Fully vaccinated people with a COVID-19 breakthrough infection are less likely to develop a serious illness than those who are unvaccinated and get COVID-19.
Even when fully vaccinated people develop symptoms, they tend to be less severe symptoms than in unvaccinated people. This means they are much less likely to be hospitalized or have lesser mortality than people who are not vaccinated.

How do we protect ourselves from a COVID-19 breakthrough infection?

Even if you are vaccinated, please: