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Breakthrough deaths are making up a larger portion of those who have died from COVID-19, according to a new analysis from ABC News.
That means more COVID-19 deaths are occurring among those who are vaccinated against the coronavirus. But public health experts say that should be expected as more Americans reach full vaccination status.
"These data should not be interpreted as vaccines not working," John Brownstein, PhD, an epidemiologist at Boston Children’s Hospital, told ABC News.
"In fact, these real-world analyses continue to reaffirm the incredible protection these vaccines afford, especially when up to date with boosters," he said.
In August 2021, about 19% of COVID-19 deaths occurred among vaccinated people. Six months later, by February 2022, the proportion had increased to more than 40%.
What’s more, about 1.1% of COVID-19 deaths occurred among Americans who were fully vaccinated and boosted in September 2021. By February 2022, that increased to about 25%.
Even so, in February, unvaccinated adults were 10 times more likely to die of COVID-19, compared to vaccinated adults, and five more times likely to require hospitalization, ABC News reported. Compared to fully vaccinated and boosted adults, unvaccinated people were about 20 times more likely to die of COVID-19 and seven times more likely to require hospitalization.
