Covid-19: Fully vaccinated people can carry as much delta virus as unvaccinated people, data indicate
BMJ 2021; 374 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n2074 (Published 19 August 2021) Cite this as: BMJ 2021;374:n2074Read our latest coverage of the coronavirus pandemic
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Dear Editor
COVID did surprise me 6 months after double Pfizer Jab
I'm reading this interesting article at a time when my spouse and I decided to travel abroad from UK to meet our loved ones after 2 years. Being fully double vaccinated since February 2021, we had a lot of confidence to travel and reduced apprehension of getting any bad COVID. We fulfilled all the requirements for travel, having three PCR tests negative till we reached our destiny. We were impressed to see the COVID-prevention protocol adopted by the airlines. Infact I was given a gown, mask as well as face shield, with strict instructions to keep it worn all the time.
We hardly met anyone else except people who came to recieve us at our final destination. We had to have an exit lateral flow test and a PCR test at arrival before we were let out.
Going with full confidence, I spent a whole day with my mother as soon as I arrived. Same evening, however, I got frightened when I developed shivers and fever only to be confirmed COVID positive by lateral flow test in the morning later and confirmed by PCR.
At the time of writing this piece I am day 5 with persistent symptoms and isolating. I am hopeful vaccine will protect me from hospitalisation.
I am, however, shocked and dismayed after working with Covid patients throughout the last 18 months and being early vaccinated that COVID embarrassed me at such an unusual time. It did come as a surprise not only to me but also to my associates.
The above data is quite robust and clarifies that, yes, you may be vaccinated but you can still catch the virus, although it is unlikely to lead to hospitalisation.
It would be devastating, however, to find that we may have infected our very loved ones whom we came to visit and who have been shielding themselves.
It also makes it clear that the virus is still arround but we are better protected against severe illness with double vaccination and emphasises to continue compaigning for vaccination and use protective measures where necessary.
Competing interests: No competing interests
Re: Covid-19: Fully vaccinated people can carry as much delta virus as unvaccinated people, data indicate
Dear Editor,
Isn't it a bit misleading to write, "But, although people who are fully vaccinated have a lower risk of becoming infected,...?"
Shouldn't you clarify that you are comparing the naive vaccinees to individuals who had never been vaccinated and never had the virus?
It seems to be a scientific disservice to exclude those with natural immunities from the discussion.
Especially when the data out of the Israel study showed the vaccinated, who had never had the virus, compared to those who had the virus and now have natural immunities, were 13x more likely to inherent an infection than those with natural immunities?
That being the case, would an edit be applicable at the least?
Thank you,
Wayne Kelley
USA
Competing interests: No competing interests