Given the passing of General Powell who was fully vaccinated
A lot of misinformation spreading about breakthrough infections
So let's talk about breakthroughs
What are they about?
When are they a big deal?
Let's put on our public health and clinician hats on this
Thread
A lot of misinformation spreading about breakthrough infections
So let's talk about breakthroughs
What are they about?
When are they a big deal?
Let's put on our public health and clinician hats on this
Thread
First, what is a “breakthrough” infection?
Its when someone who is fully vaccinated still gets infected
We know these vaccines prevent infection – but not 100%
So vaccinated people can still get infected
But then, your immune system, trained by vaccines, really kicks in
2/6
Its when someone who is fully vaccinated still gets infected
We know these vaccines prevent infection – but not 100%
So vaccinated people can still get infected
But then, your immune system, trained by vaccines, really kicks in
2/6
Within days of infection, a vaccinated person's immune system goes into high gear
Memory B cells make antibodies
T cells arrive to kill infected cells
And for most people, they don’t go on to have severe disease
A few days of symptoms, then they recover
Awesome
3/6
Memory B cells make antibodies
T cells arrive to kill infected cells
And for most people, they don’t go on to have severe disease
A few days of symptoms, then they recover
Awesome
3/6
So why are breakthrough infections still a problem for some people?
Usually, they are a problem for older people or people with chronic illnesses (like heart failure or kidney disease)
Why?
First, their immune system may not mount as effective of a response
4/6
Usually, they are a problem for older people or people with chronic illnesses (like heart failure or kidney disease)
Why?
First, their immune system may not mount as effective of a response
4/6
Second, a breakthrough that most people tolerate can kill vulnerable folks
A healthy person gets a breakthrough – 2 days of fever, cough, etc then recovers
An 80 year old with heart or kidney disease?
Those 2 days of fever can precipitate a heart attack or kidney failure
5/7
A healthy person gets a breakthrough – 2 days of fever, cough, etc then recovers
An 80 year old with heart or kidney disease?
Those 2 days of fever can precipitate a heart attack or kidney failure
5/7
And that heart attack or kidney failure can kill them
We see this all the time in the hospital
Mild infections that kill vulnerable people
Vaccines turn COVID into a mild disease
For most of us, that’s awesome
For vulnerable people, its helpful but often not enough
6/8
We see this all the time in the hospital
Mild infections that kill vulnerable people
Vaccines turn COVID into a mild disease
For most of us, that’s awesome
For vulnerable people, its helpful but often not enough
6/8
So what do we do?
1. Vulnerable people need boosters to reduce risk of getting breakthroughs
2. Lower community spread
No matter how good our vaccines – if we have a raging forest fire of infections among unvaccinated
It will spill over and kill vulnerable vaccinated folks
1. Vulnerable people need boosters to reduce risk of getting breakthroughs
2. Lower community spread
No matter how good our vaccines – if we have a raging forest fire of infections among unvaccinated
It will spill over and kill vulnerable vaccinated folks
So yes, vaccines are working at reducing infections and severity
They aren’t a 100% (what is???)
And protecting vulnerable people means getting them boosters
And reducing the spread of the virus in the community
End
They aren’t a 100% (what is???)
And protecting vulnerable people means getting them boosters
And reducing the spread of the virus in the community
End
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
