Thread by @sailorrooscout

Let me fix this BBC headline for you since most unfortunately will not read past it, OR even read the study. Fully vaccinated individuals can contract and pass on COVID-19 in the home, BUT AT LOWER RATES than unvaccinated individuals. bbc.com/news/health-59…

I’m not finished.🧵

If you actually open this article, rather than just posting a screenshot of it and taking it as some sort of sarcastic “win” as I have seen several people do this morning, you will find that this article does not really say what you think it says and I think most people

are counting on the fact most will not read past the headline. So, what does it actually say? First and foremost, and from the author of the study themselves: “The ongoing transmission we are seeing makes it ESSENTIAL for unvaccinated people to get vaccinated to

protect themselves from acquiring infection and severe COVID-19.” We know this. Carrying on. It also says, and I quote: “The Lancet Infectious Diseases work shows why getting even more people vaccinated and protected is important, they say. Unvaccinated people CANNOT rely on

those around them being jabbed to remove their risk of getting infected, they warn.” It also goes on to say the study found people who have received two doses of vaccine have a LOWER, but still appreciable, risk of becoming infected with the Delta variant in the home compared

with people who are unvaccinated. The authors stressed that vaccination also reduces the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, AND death from COVID-19. How much lower of a risk? The analysis found that around 25% of vaccinated household contacts tested positive for COVID-19

compared with roughly 38% of unvaccinated household contacts. Not only that, but fully vaccinated individuals cleared the infection more quickly than those who were unvaccinated, but their peak viral load – the greatest amount of SARS-CoV-2 virus found in their nose and throat-

was similar to that seen in unvaccinated people, which may explain why they can still readily pass on the virus in household settings. What do we know about viral load? IT IS NOT A MEASURE OF INFECTIOUSNESS. In fact, to know that one would need a viral culture to be able to

determine the viability of virus. The analysis also found that viral load DECLINED most rapidly among vaccinated individuals infected with the Delta variant compared with unvaccinated individuals with Delta, Alpha, OR Pre-Alpha! So what does this tell us? Firstly, this is ONLY

pertaining to “breakthrough” infections in vaccinated individuals. Why is this important? Because this only applies to WHEN and IF they happen! Preventing infection IS preventing transmission as well.

Listen to me clearly here so that you can pass it on as well: vaccinated individuals are not more likely to transmit to others. We know they can transmit however, they are indeed LESS likely to get infected in the first place and therefore also LESS likely to transmit to others.

Does vaccination STOP all transmission? No.
Does vaccination REDUCE transmission? Yes.
The highest risk of spread is unvaccinated to unvaccinated. The lowest risk of spread is vaccinated to vaccinated. The lowest risk of serious outcomes is ALSO among those who are vaccinated.

Before anyone jumps with the “it isn’t a vaccine” and all that jazz. Remember this. Even Measles and Polio had “breakthroughs” until enough people got vaccinated. Don’t believe me? Google it. You technically have “breakthroughs” with influenza vaccines which are around 40-60%

effective on a good year. Yes, there is a difference between sterilizing immunity and protective immunity. If you need the breakdown of this study see here: imperial.ac.uk/news/231557/co… and the study can be found here: thelancet.com/journals/lanin…. With that, this thread is now done.