US Sees Sharp Increase in COVID Deaths Among Vaccinated... Why Is This Happening? [Reading Science]

Low Booster Shot Uptake Amid Waning Vaccine Effectiveness
New Variants Like Omicron Spread Mainly Among Vulnerable Groups

On the 25th, when the 4th COVID-19 booster vaccination for those aged 60 and over who made advance reservations began, a citizen was receiving the vaccine at Bumin Hospital in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. April 25, 2022 Photo by Joint Press Corps (Portrait rights consent obtained)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] In the United States, the number of people who have died from COVID-19 despite being vaccinated is increasing significantly. Does this prove that the pharmaceutical companies' claims about infection prevention and severe illness mitigation are lies? Not at all. Experts explain that as time passes after vaccination, immunity wanes, booster shot (third dose) rates remain low, and highly transmissible variants like Omicron have emerged, leading to concentrated infections among vulnerable groups.

According to the Washington Post (WP) on the 28th (local time), an analysis of data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state health authorities showed that between January and February, when the Omicron variant appeared, 42% of COVID-19 deaths were among vaccinated individuals. This figure is nearly double the 23% recorded during the Delta variant spread in September last year.

Experts cite low booster shot uptake, the emergence of new variants, and concentrated infections among vulnerable populations as reasons. Recently, new variants have caused concentrated outbreaks among immunocompromised individuals such as the elderly and those with underlying conditions, regardless of vaccination status. During the Omicron surge, nearly two-thirds of those who died were elderly people aged 75 and older. In contrast, during the Delta variant spread, about one-third of total deaths were among those aged 75 and above. Although health authorities anticipated this situation and conducted focused vaccinations for those aged 75 and older, the vaccine was less effective than expected, and now immunity is waning over time. The U.S. CDC has responded that this was an expected outcome. As more people become infected due to the Omicron variant spread, vaccine breakthrough deaths are increasing among vulnerable groups.

In particular, many victims had been vaccinated but had not received a booster shot, i.e., the third dose. For example, in California and Mississippi, three-quarters of vaccinated elderly individuals who died between January and February had not received the third dose.

WP introduced the case of Scott Bennett, a 70-year-old man who died after contracting the Omicron variant. He was an adventurous entrepreneur who enjoyed scuba diving and cycling and was in good health. Although he received a booster shot in early December last year, he developed COVID-19 symptoms shortly after vaccination and ultimately died on January 13. The critical mistake was that he had contact with others without wearing a mask just before receiving the booster shot. His wife regretted, saying, "My husband never thought he would get infected, and neither did I, but he should have worn the mask properly over his nose."

Experts are urging the importance of the third dose and special care for vulnerable groups. Erika Fan, a public health expert in California, said, "Vaccines remain one of the most important and long-lasting tools to protect ourselves," adding, "Data shows vaccination reduces the probability of death by over 85%, but the remaining 15% is the problem."