BATON ROUGE – As of Friday (April 2), 126 people in Louisiana were classified with a “breakthrough” vaccine COVID case – testing positive for coronavirus after they were fully vaccinated.
About half of the breakthrough cases were found during routine screening, and the patients were asymptomatic at the time of the test, health officials said Friday.
A person is fully vaccinated 14 days after receiving the second of two doses or the only single-dose vaccine.
The 126 cases of people who contracted COVID, even after being fully vaccinated, make up a small fraction of the number of people who have completed the series of vaccinations. According to the most recent data, 782,189, people have been fully vaccinated in Louisiana. The 126 people represent 0.02%.
“Keep in mind that these vaccines are very effective – 95% for Pfizer, 94% for Moderna, and 73% for Johnson & Johnson – and all three are 100% effective in preventing serious illness, hospitalization and death,” said health officials.
“This one [breakthrough] cases are extraordinarily rare, “added health officials.
Data was not immediately available Friday regarding specific information about the vaccines the 126 received, their age, or which parts of the state had the most breakthrough cases.
“The COVID vaccines are safe and effective, and in clinical studies COVID positive cases were identified after a person was vaccinated with a small number of vaccinations. The studies in all three vaccines were found to be 100% effective in preventing hospitalization and hospitalization. death., “added state health officials.
However, the health department quantified, “No vaccine is 100% effective in 100% of the conditions, and so building protective herd immunity through extensive community vaccination remains a goal in Louisiana and across the country. It’s also why we continue to emphasize that until we achieve herd immunity with a mask and social distance are critical tools to protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID. “
The state released the number of so-called breakthrough cases Friday, over a week after the WBRZ Investigative Unit first asked the Department of Health for data.
“Even with these highly effective vaccines, it is still important to take common sense protective measures until we achieve herd immunity. This includes wearing a mask, washing hands, socializing and staying at home during illness. important because of the COVID variants circulating in the US and Louisiana, ‘LDH said in a previous statement to WBRZ.
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