Deaths among fully vaxxed re-enforce need for boosters
New data from the state Department of Public Health continues to show that a significant majority of fully vaccinated people who died after a coronavirus breakthrough infection had underlying conditions that made them more likely to have a severe case.
The median age of Massachusetts vaccine breakthrough cases who died has been 82.3 years, according to the state Department of Public Health’s figures as of last week.
The data is yet more evidence that people who are older and people with underlying conditions should go get a booster dose as soon as possible, infectious disease experts told the Herald on Monday.
“These are really vulnerable groups who we need to protect,” said Davidson Hamer, a Boston University specialist in infectious diseases. “Those who are older and people with certain medical conditions should get boosted over the next month if they can.”
There have been 254 breakthrough case deaths in the Bay State, which is 0.006% of all fully vaccinated individuals. More than 4.6 million people in the state have been fully vaccinated.
Of the 254 breakthrough case deaths, 71% of these cases were reported to have underlying conditions that made them more likely to have severe disease.
Overall, there have been 1,155 breakthrough hospitalizations, which is 0.03% of all fully vaccinated individuals. Of the 1,155 hospitalizations, 59% of these patients were reported to have underlying conditions.
The state has reported 36,723 breakthrough cases.
“Breakthrough cases in Massachusetts are incredibly low, and those hospitalized or who have died are even lower,” the state Department of Public Health said in a statement.
Booster doses were recommended for immunocompromised individuals about two months ago. Then, two weeks ago, Pfizer booster doses were recommended for people 65-plus, for those at risk for severe disease and for those at high-risk for occupational exposure six months after completing their primary vax series.
Early data out of Israel has shown the boosters increasing protection, Hamer said.
“Some people are being proactive to go out and get the booster, but others are complacent, so they need to be strongly encouraged to get the booster,” he added.
The booster doses “will strengthen our armor,” said Todd Ellerin, director of infectious diseases at South Shore Health.
“It makes sense for those groups to get the booster right now,” he said, also adding that those who are unvaccinated should get immunized right away. “The patients who are fully vaccinated are getting out of the hospital much faster, while the unvaccinated patients are at a much, much higher risk for severe illness, a long hospitalization and unfortunately death.”