Sky Lakes Medical Center | Live Smart | Summer 2021

SkyLakes.org | LIVE smart 7 Variants might account for some breakthrough cases. Some variants of the coronavirus may spread more easily. COVID-19 vaccines still seem to work against most of these variants. But it’s possible some might be better at overcoming vaccine immunity. Why do some vaccinated people still get sick? What to know about COVID-19 breakthrough cases Vaccine updates you can rely on Find local vaccination information and the CDC’s latest advice on vaccines and precautions at SkyLakes.org/COVIDResources . There’s no doubt that COVID-19 vaccines work. And all those shots going into arms are making a difference in helping to slow the spread and keeping people from being infected. But some fully vaccinated people have still gotten sick with COVID-19. How can that happen? Experts call these “breakthrough cases,” and they are not common. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that fewer than 1 in 10,000 vaccinated people has gotten COVID-19. The fact that some breakthrough cases exist is not unusual, CDC notes. In fact, this occurs with all vaccines. Clinical trials and real-world studies show that vaccines are very safe and highly effective. But no vaccine is 100% perfect. So even with a vaccine that prevents more than 90% of infections, a small number of people will still get sick. Breakthrough cases can also happen for other reasons. For instance: CDC continues to look into reports of breakthrough cases. But so far, they don’t seem to happen more often to people who share common risk factors. Our best shot at beating COVID-19 Getting vaccinated will make you much less likely to get COVID-19. And if you are one of the few vaccinated people who still gets the disease? There is evidence that COVID-19 vaccines may make your illness less severe. Once you’re fully vaccinated, you can stop wearing a mask and social distancing, except where required by law or regulation. For instance, you still need to wear a mask in healthcare settings, on public transportation and if required by local businesses. A person could be exposed to the virus just before or after they are vaccinated. It takes about two weeks after the final dose for the body to build immunity to the coronavirus. Only then are you considered fully vaccinated. If you’re exposed during that time, you could still get sick.