Washington DOH Reviewing 5 Possible Vaccine Breakthrough Deaths

SEATTLE — The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is investigating five deaths that may have been the result of COVID-19 vaccine breakthroughs.

A vaccine breakthrough is when a patient has been fully vaccinated against a disease, but still catches it. The DOH says vaccine breakthroughs remain extremely rare, but some were to be expected as no vaccine is 100 percent effective at preventing transmission.

There have been 217 total vaccine breakthrough cases in Washington state as of April 3rd. To put that in perspective, 1.7 million Washingtonians have been fully vaccinated, meaning the 217 breakthroughs represent just 0.01 percent of the vaccinated population.

Of the suspected deadly breakthrough cases, all five patients were between 67 and 94 years old, and all had multiple underlying health conditions, the DOH said. Most of the state's breakthrough cases, however, have happened in patients between 40 and 59 years old.

Most breakthrough patients experience little to no symptoms of COVID-19, though the state estimates about 12 percent were hospitalized, using the latest available data. Patients are only considered breakthrough cases if they have tested positive for COVID-19 more than two weeks after taking their final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The DOH stresses that, while these cases are very rare, they are a reminder that vaccination does not provide total immunity and is not a license to start breaking all pandemic safety guidelines.

"Finding evidence of vaccine breakthrough cases reminds us that, even if you have been vaccinated, you still need to wear a mask, practice social distancing, and wash your hands to prevent spreading COVID-19 to others who have not been vaccinated," said Secretary of Health Dr. Umair A. Shah. "We encourage everyone to get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible, and encourage friends, loved ones, and co-workers to do the same."

Washington state report its first vaccine breakthrough cases back on March 30. The DOH says they will begin releasing regular updates on vaccine breakthrough cases starting sometime later this month.