Thread by @sailorrooscout

An analysis of an outbreak of the Delta variant at nine summer youth camps in the United States shows there was NO further transmission to fully vaccinated individuals AND there was NO further transmission from breakthrough cases. Vaccination stopped the train of transmission. 🧵

This case study assessed the number of COVID-19 cases and potential secondary spread among 7,173 staff members and campers from 50 states, 13 countries, and U.S. military overseas bases at nine independently operated U.S. summer youth camps affiliated with the same organization.

Some considerations to keep in mind: some members of these groups WERE NOT eligible for COVID-19 vaccination. Three of the nine cases occurred in vaccinated staff members and six in unvaccinated campers aged 8–14 years. It is ALSO important to note that at some camps physical

distancing and masks WERE NOT utilized for the entire duration of camp. Vaccination coverage was 93% among eligible persons aged ≥12 years. All staff members (1,955) and campers (5,218) received site-specific, protocol-defined screening testing.

Testing for SARS-CoV-2, isolation, and quarantine in a population with HIGH vaccination coverage resulted in NO known secondary transmission of SARS-CoV-2 identified during camp. Most cases in these chains were unvaccinated individuals ineligible for vaccination,

but a few were fully vaccinated “breakthrough” cases HOWEVER what is important to note is there was NO further transmission from the “breakthrough cases.” So what does this mean? Vaccination STOPPED the train of transmission.

So, let’s talk about that because there is a lot of misinformation circulating recently. “Vaccinated people are just as likely to spread the coronavirus. This misunderstanding, born out of confusing statements from public-health authorities and misleading media headlines, is a

shame. It is resulting in unnecessary fear among vaccinated people, all the while undermining the public’s understanding of the importance-and effectiveness-of getting vaccinated.” So let me make one thing clear: Vaccinated people are not as likely to spread the coronavirus

as the unvaccinated. Even in the United States, where more than half of the population is fully vaccinated, the unvaccinated are responsible for the overwhelming majority of transmission. It’s worth acknowledging that even though the vaccines are our best protection-and still do

what we need them to do very well-they’re not perfect. Vaccinated individuals can experience breakthrough infections, and when they do, they can potentially infect others. Some may also develop long COVID, although thankfully the shots dramatically lower this risk too. Despite

concerns about waning immunity, vaccines provide the best protection against infection. And if someone isn’t infected, they can’t spread the coronavirus. It’s truly that simple. That’s why getting more people their shots is crucial for controlling the spread of the coronavirus:

Every vaccinated person helps limit the virus’s ability to hide, replicate, and propagate. Among the unvaccinated, the virus travels unhindered on a highway with multiple off-ramps and refueling stations. In the vaccinated, it gets lost in a maze of dead-end streets and

cul-de-sacs. Every so often, it pieces together an escape route, but in most scenarios, it finds itself cut off, and its journey ends. It can go no further. Everyone knows that the vaccines help protect each individual who gets their shots.

But when more people get vaccinated, this helps keep everyone else (including children and others ineligible for vaccination) safe too. You can read this all and more here: theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/… and find the case study here: cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/7…