Are fully vaccinated less likely to get infected?
The novel coronavirus has posed an unprecedented challenge to people's physical and mental health. Although COVID vaccines were developed in time and have proven effective, breakthrough infections have become a source of major concern. Amid growing risk of Delta variant, many fully vaccinated people have contracted the virus and even developed mild to moderate symptoms. However, as per experts, severe infection risks have been curbed. Studies have suggested that people who have received both their doses of vaccine are less likely to get infected by COVID-19 and spread it to others.
What is a breakthrough infection?
A breakthrough infection occurs when a person contracts the SARs-COV-2 virus even after being fully vaccinated. The person either remains asymptomatic or develops mild to moderate illnesses. In certain cases the individual can even succumb to the virus. According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, although there have been instances of breakthrough infections, it is said to be very rare and infected people are less likely to be sick.
Can fully vaccinated people get infected with COVID-19?
The rising number of Delta variant cases has raised alarms in and around the world, which is why taking your COVID shot has become more important than ever. However, breakthrough infections have become a common phenomenon. Many individuals who have already received both their doses are coming up with infections, which only highlights the effectiveness of COVID vaccines in minimizing hospitalisation and severe infection risks. However, whether or not it can provide complete immunity against the virus is still under speculation.
Read more: Coronavirus: Can fully vaccinated people develop long COVID?
How likely are fully vaccinated individuals to contract the virus?
While possible, according to a research conducted by researchers at Imperial College London, it was found that those who have received both rounds of a coronavirus vaccine are half as likely to be infected with the virus than those who are unvaccinated.
The research was based on the swab tests taken by nearly 98,233 people at home and their samples were evaluated by PCR testing between June 24 and July 12. As per the data, 527 had tested positive and 254 swab tests were successfully analysed in the lab to determine their origins, 100 percent of which were Delta variants, as per report.
It was found that people who had received both the jabs were less likely to develop a serious infection and spread it to others, given that the viral load was much lower than in unvaccinated individuals.
That said, if a fully vaccinated person is exposed to the virus, the chances of him or her catching the infection is one in 26, whereas for unvaccinated people, it would be one in 13, as per study.
Who was more likely to contract the virus, as per study?
According to the study, high prevalence of infection was found in younger generations between the age of 13 to 24 as compared to people who were 75 above.
Unvaccinated individuals continue to remain more prone to COVID infection and are more likely to be spreaders.
Fully vaccinated people should watch out for these COVID symptoms
Since fully vaccinated people can contract the virus and develop symptoms, they are susceptible to varied COVID symptoms too. According to the ZOE COVID symptom study which tracks thousands of symptoms via use of an app, there can be symptoms that may differ in those who have received their vaccination. Some common symptoms that have been reported in the recent past are as follows.
- Headache
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Sore throat
- Loss of smell
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