COVID symptoms in fully vaccinated people
The second wave of coronavirus not only taught us the importance of social distancing and wearing a mask, but highlighted the need for getting our COVID vaccines. That being said, with a possibility of a third wave, it has become all the more crucial for us to get vaccinated. However, getting your COVID shot does not mean you cannot contract the virus. You're very much prone to catching the virus. But experts believe that fully vaccinated individuals are more likely to develop mild infections and are less at risk of hospitalization.
What is a breakthrough infection?
A breakthrough infection occurs when a person contracts the SARs-COV-2 virus even after being fully vaccinated. The person either remains asymptomatic or develops mild to moderate illnesses. In certain cases, the individual can even succumb to the virus. According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, although there have been instances of breakthrough infections, it is said to be very rare and infected people are less likely to be sick.
Symptoms to watch out for in fully vaccinated individuals
In case a fully vaccinated person contracts the virus and develops symptoms, according to the ZOE COVID symptom study which tracks thousands of symptoms via use of an app, there are some common symptoms that have been reported in the recent past.
- Headache
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Sore throat
- Loss of smell
As per the study, "The previous ‘traditional’ symptoms as still outlined on the government website, such as anosmia (loss of smell), shortness of breath and fever rank way down the list, at 5, 29 and 12 respectively."
"A persistent cough now ranks at number 8 if you’ve had two vaccine doses, so is no longer the top indicator of having COVID," the study added.
Are the symptoms in fully vaccinated people less severe?
According to CDC, it is very rare for fully vaccinated individuals to experience severe symptoms from COVID-19. People who have received both doses of the vaccine are less likely to be hospitalized or die than those who haven't been vaccinated, as per the health body. However, they have clarified that fully vaccinated people can still experience severe infections, be hospitalized and die.
Can vaccinated people spread COVID-19?
Fully vaccinated people can catch the virus and can also be spreaders. But according to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), not only are vaccinated people at far less risk of contracting the coronavirus, they’re also less likely to be asymptomatic carriers of the virus.
Rising cases of Delta variant only make fully vaccinated individuals more vulnerable to the virus. They can unknowingly carry it forward to the next person. However, experts believe that it's very rare. To transmit the disease, one needs to possess high viral content in the body, as per experts. Given that the vaccine reduces a person's ability to carry a high viral load of an infection, it is less likely that vaccinated individuals can become silent carriers.
Read more: Vaccinated people less likely to spread COVID: Study
Who is more prone to breakthrough infections?
Reports have suggested that women, older adults above the age of 60 and people with pre-existing cases of asthma and other lung infection are more prone to infection post-vaccination. In a study conducted by the team of ZOE symptoms study app, it was also revealed that people who are under 60 years, suffer from obesity and earn a livelihood in underdeveloped areas, are more likely to get infected after getting their vaccines.