What is the reason behind breakthrough Covid-19 infection
Friday, 24th September 2021
There are several instances where people have got infected by the novel coronavirus even after getting vaccinated against it. While there is ample evidence with researchers now that the immune system gets boosted in the course of weeks following the shots, there is also sufficient proof that suggests that the immunity that is gained also wears off with the passage of time and makes the body prone to certain risks again.
Although breakthrough cases of Covid-19 infections are comparatively less severe and symptomatic as compared to an unvaccinated case, there are high chances of contracting the viral infection weeks or even months after getting your jabs due to the presence of a consternating number of variants as well as a waning immune system.
Several groups of people had got their vaccinations in the early days when the inoculation drives had just commenced. While the prioritizations may have granted them a certain level of prevention and benefits, they may also have put them at a greater risk of getting afflicted due to continued destabilization of immunity and the arrival of more potent variants.
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While all the available vaccines against Covid-19 are said to have passed the WHO standards and are effective, it does not mean they all lend an equal level of protection. This may be similar but not standard. This entails that certain vaccines may be more suited to some than others and it is thus important to weigh the odds of symptomatic illness, severity, transmission, and other safety profiles.
Studies have shown that the Modera and Pfizer mRNA vaccines bring down chances of getting symptomatic illness by 95% and the Astrazeneca (Covishield) shot offers a 70-80% reduction.
Although vaccine developers are continually trying to come up with stronger doses that can combat newer and more virulent strains, there is still time for it. The available vaccines tend to bring down protection with the existing variants and if more virulent strains emerge, they could prove to be even less effective.
Along with vaccination and Covid-appropriate behavior, individual risk factors also play a crucial role like preconditions, age, illness history, and genetic makeup. The immune response tends to decline with age and comorbidities and chronic immunosuppressive conditions can also suppress vaccine efficiency, and raise risks.
The News Talkie Bureau
Source:
TimesofindiaIndiatimes