Four people in Oregon, who were fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine, tested positive for coronavirus, health officials revealed Friday.
This makes Oregon one of the first states to report ‘breakthrough cases’, which occur when people test positive for the virus at least 14 days after receiving their second vaccine.
Both vaccines approved for emergency authorizations – Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna – are 95 percent effective, meaning that five percent who are vaccinated can still get sick, which according to the official is serious but not surprising.
‘[This is] not to be unexpected in a vaccine, although phenomenally, with an effectiveness of 95 percent, can still be infected five percent, ‘said dr. Patrick Allen, director of the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) said at a news conference Friday.
Two of the breakthrough cases are in Yamhill County, about 65 miles from Portland, and the other two are located in Lane County, about 200 miles away.
Officials say the four people had few or no symptoms, according to studies that suggest the vaccine could reduce the severity of the disease.
Although the OHA was unable to provide details on where these cases came from, their age or when they received their last vaccine, they said that 2 of the 4 cases were related to a single place where a group exist.
Four people in Oregon, who were fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine, tested positive for coronavirus, all of which had mild to no symptoms. Pictured: An Oregonian aged 80 or older receives a COVID-19 vaccine at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, February 10
Both vaccines, from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, are 95% effective, meaning 5% of all people will get sick, so officials say there are likely to be more of these ‘breakthrough cases’ (above)
At the press conference on Friday, dr. Dean Sidelinger, the health authority’s state health officer, said no vaccine offers 100 percent protection, which means there will be more breakthrough cases.
“What it all means is that we can see more breakthrough cases,” said Dean Sidelinger, the health authority’s state health officer.
“Getting as many Oregons vaccinated as possible remains a critical goal in ending the pandemic.
“Based on what we know about vaccines for other diseases and early data from clinical trials, experts believe that a COVID-19 vaccine can also help you become seriously ill, even if you become ill.”
It is still unclear whether any of the four infections were involved in newer variants of the virus from the UK, South Africa or Brazil.
OHA is currently seeking samples from these patients and is sending them to the CDC for testing in a genomic monitoring program.
Officials hope to have information available this week
In addition, the health authority announced Friday that the number of people receiving the COVID-19 vaccine in Oregon and the amount of doses sent to the state has increased.
However, several vaccine locations had to close on Friday and Saturday due to the snow and icy weather.
Currently, 10 percent of Oregon’s population has received at least a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
Currently, an average of 1.6 and 1.7 million Americans are vaccinated every day.
A total of 38.2 million Americans – 11.6% of the population – received at least one dose, while 14 million – 4.2% – received both doses.
‘Although it is still rare, vaccines are becoming more and more available. “More Oregonians are being vaccinated that day,” Sidelinger said.
Health officials announced Friday that Oregon’s weekly dose allocation increases again, from 75,000 to 82,000.
“These additional doses will help ensure that our timelines stay on track and that we can get through our population of older adults even earlier, but it’s still too early to tell,” Allen said.
In the US, more than 70 million doses were sent to states and more than 52.8 million were administered, according to the CDC.
A total of 38.2 million Americans – 11.6 percent of the population – received at least one dose, while 14 million – 4.2 percent – received both doses.
Currently, an average of between 1.6 and 1.7 million people are vaccinated every day.
Health officials say they want to reiterate that it is important to be vaccinated as soon as doses are available to you.
‘The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective. The benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks of getting COVID-19, ‘General Surgeon D. Mary Giswold told the AP.