Reference:
Brosh-Nissimov, T. et al. (2021). BNT162b2 vaccine breakthrough: clinical characteristics of 152 fully-vaccinated hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Israel. Clinical Microbiology and Infection. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmi.2021.06.036
Summary:
A study conducted in Israel examined breakthrough infections in fully-vaccinated patients who were hospitalised with COVID-19. Out of 152 patients, 40% were immunocompromised, and the study revealed that despite the high efficacy of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, some individuals still experienced severe disease. The research highlighted that older age, multiple comorbidities, and a higher SARS-CoV-2 viral load were associated with poorer outcomes, including a 22% mortality rate. The study called for further research to identify factors leading to breakthrough infections and to improve protection for high-risk groups. It emphasised the importance of maintaining vaccinations and possibly implementing additional protective measures for vulnerable individuals, while also underscoring the role of mass vaccination in indirectly safeguarding these populations.