Breakthrough COVID vaccine cases now at 3

The Hawaii Department of Health COVID-19 and Pandemic Response unit has provided updated information about “breakthrough” cases first highlighted in the most recent Weekly COVID-19 Cluster Report.

They have now identified a total of 3 “breakthrough” cases in which a fully vaccinated person (someone who received both doses) has contracted COVID-19.

They said this number is not outside what they would expect with nearly 165,000 people in Hawai‘i who are fully vaccinated.

A vaccine with 95% efficacy will protect 95 out of 100 people. This means 5% may still contract COVID if exposed. This is another reason we must all do our part to keep case counts low. The lower the prevalence of COVID in the community, the lower the chance any of us – even those who have been vaccinated – will be infected.

It is important to note that none of the individuals with “breakthrough” COVID became severely ill and none are known to have transmitted COVID to someone else.

The vaccines are preventing serious illness as they are designed to do.