How Effective Is The Coronavirus Vaccine In CT? New Data Released

CONNECTICUT — The state Department of Public Health released data Friday that indicate cases of the coronavirus in fully vaccinated residents are more rare than expected. Less than 0.1 percent of Connecticut’s fully vaccinated persons reported to DPH as having contracted the virus.

Of the 1,467,189 persons who have completed their vaccine series, 242 have been confirmed as contracting COVID-19. Of those, 109 (45%) had no symptoms of the disease.

So-called "vaccine breakthrough cases" occur when a person who has completed their vaccine series becomes infected with the COVID-19 virus.

Three deaths have occurred among the 242 vaccine breakthrough cases. All three patients were confirmed to have had underlying medical conditions and were in the following age groups: 55-64 (1), 65-74 (1), and 75+ (1). Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported a total of 132 vaccine breakthrough deaths.

“The main takeaway is that COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective and cases of infection after a person is fully vaccinated are very rare. The best protection against severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19 is vaccination, and I strongly urge all eligible Connecticut residents who have not yet gotten vaccinated to do so," said Acting DPH Commissioner Deidre Gifford.

In addition to the overall number of breakthrough cases, DPH also announced that of the 242 breakthrough cases, 159 (65.7 percent) cases were among women, 58 (24 percent) cases occurred among persons living in congregate settings such as nursing homes and assisted living facilities, and 32 (13.2 percent) cases have been hospitalized.

The news came as Connecticut surpassed the 50 percent mark for residents ages 16 and over who are now fully vaccinated, according to DPH.