Coronavirus vaccine and Delta variant updates for 7-23-2021

<p>This is Vaccine 411, the latest coronavirus vaccine information for July 23rd, 2021.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Instead of stories today we’ll be answering some questions many people might be having about breakthrough cases. Cases of COVID in those who have been fully vaccinated. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Do the vaccines work against Delta? So far, research shows they’re holding up well against it. A June study from the U.K. found the Pfizer vaccine is 96% effective against hospitalization from the delta variant after two doses. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>If the vaccine isn’t guaranteed to keep you from getting infected, why get it? Your chances of getting infected are dramatically reduced, and if you do get infected (which is possible), the vaccine should help you keep from getting as sick. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>How many people who are hospitalized are unvaccinated as opposed to vaccinated? 97% according to the CDC. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>What would make you more likely to have a breakthrough case that leads to serious illness? If you have health conditions that affect the immune system. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Exactly how many breakthrough cases have there been? There's no exact number. They can’t count asymptomatic breakthrough cases because those people don’t get regular testing. If they have no symptoms, they don’t know to get tested. The CDC measures the effectiveness of COVID vaccines the way they do flu shots. Most people who get the flu are never tested or reported. Long-term surveillance, along with calculations to extrapolate the findings, gives a picture of how much virus is out in the community. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Why are breakthrough cases going up? Because more people got vaccinated. Math says that even with a 95% efficacy rate, one in 20 vaccinees who are exposed will get the disease. With Delta spreading 2-3 times faster than the original strain — there’ll be more cases among everyone, vaccinated and unvaccinated. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Is Delta causing more breakthrough cases? There's no data yet to show that it is. It’s al