Vaccinated And Hospitalized: Is There A Link?

Vaccines are highly effective in preventing severe illness and death from COVID-19, but they do not provide absolute protection. According to reports, a small percentage of fully vaccinated individuals have been hospitalized due to COVID-19 breakthrough infections. In the United States, the CDC reported over 4,000 hospitalizations among vaccinated individuals as of July 2021, with a majority of cases occurring in those over 65 years of age. While rare, breakthrough infections can occur, and the CDC continues to monitor and study these cases to ensure vaccine effectiveness. Additionally, there have been reports of individuals experiencing cardiac and neurological symptoms requiring hospitalization after receiving the Chikungunya vaccine.

COVID-19 hospitalizations among the vaccinated are rare

The importance of completing the COVID-19 vaccination series cannot be overstated. While breakthrough infections in fully vaccinated individuals are possible, they are extremely rare. Even if they do occur, hospitalization is highly unlikely. Critical care doctors have emphasized that the overwhelming majority of sick patients have not been vaccinated.

It is worth noting that the updated 2024-2025 COVID vaccines are available to everyone aged 6 months and older. These vaccines are especially recommended for those who have never received a COVID vaccine, are 65 or older, are at high risk for severe COVID, live in long-term care facilities, or are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.

While vaccination provides significant protection against COVID-19, it is important to understand that no vaccine is without potential side effects. Myocarditis and pericarditis, for example, have been observed in rare cases after COVID-19 vaccination, primarily in adolescent and young adult males. However, it is important to weigh the benefits of vaccination against the risk of side effects. Research has shown that cardiac complications are significantly higher after a COVID-19 infection than from vaccination.

In conclusion, COVID-19 hospitalizations among the vaccinated are indeed rare. The available data and expert opinions strongly suggest that vaccination provides a robust defense against severe illness and hospitalization. While no medical intervention is without risks, the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines in preventing hospitalizations and reducing the impact of Long COVID clearly outweigh the potential side effects.

Vaccinated people are not more likely to be hospitalized

Vaccination has proven to be a powerful tool in the fight against infectious diseases, and this remains true for hospitalizations due to COVID-19 and measles. In the context of COVID-19, doctors across the United States have observed that "virtually all hospitalized [COVID-19] patients have one thing in common: they're unvaccinated." This trend was observed by various medical professionals, including Dr. Josh Denson, a pulmonary medicine and critical care physician, and Dr. Ken Lyn-Kew, a pulmonologist in critical care, both of whom affirmed that none of their critically ill or ICU patients had been vaccinated.

The importance of vaccination in reducing hospitalizations is further emphasized by the sharp decline in hospitalizations following the introduction of the COVID-19 vaccines. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average number of hospitalized patients plummeted from over 125,000 in early January to just over 15,000 in a single week. Additionally, the CDC reported that most people hospitalized with COVID-19 in 2023 had not received the updated vaccine for that year, indicating that staying up to date with vaccinations is crucial.

While breakthrough infections in fully vaccinated individuals are possible, they are extremely rare, and the risk of hospitalization in such cases is highly unlikely. Dr. Todd Rice, director of the medical intensive care unit at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, noted that while they had admitted partially vaccinated patients, the overwhelming majority of sick patients had not been vaccinated. Furthermore, studies have consistently shown that people aged 50 and older are more likely to experience severe illness, and those 65 and older have a higher risk of hospitalization and death due to COVID-19.

The benefits of vaccination are also evident in the context of measles outbreaks. Measles is a highly contagious disease that can lead to severe health problems, including pneumonia, encephalitis, and brain damage, and even death. In 2023, an estimated 107,500 people globally, mostly unvaccinated or under-vaccinated children under 5, died from measles. In the United States, about 1 in 5 unvaccinated people with measles required hospitalization, and this rate increased to about 40% in 2024. The best way to prevent measles and reduce the risk of severe illness is through vaccination, specifically with two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Vaccines protect against severe illness and Long COVID

Vaccines are highly effective in protecting against severe illness and Long COVID. While breakthrough infections in fully vaccinated individuals are possible, it is highly unlikely that a vaccinated person will need to be hospitalized.

Several doctors across the U.S. have confirmed that the hospitalized COVID-19 patients they have treated have been unvaccinated. Dr. Josh Denson, a pulmonary medicine and critical care physician at Tulane University Medical Center in New Orleans, stated that he had not treated any fully vaccinated patients who became critically ill. Similarly, Dr. Ken Lyn-Kew, a pulmonologist in the critical care department at National Jewish Health in Denver, confirmed that none of the ICU patients had been vaccinated.

The CDC recommends that everyone aged 6 months and older receive the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine, especially those who are 65 and older, at high risk for severe COVID-19, or have never received a COVID-19 vaccine. This is because vaccine protection decreases over time, and the updated vaccines offer the best protection against currently circulating strains.

In addition to reducing the risk of severe illness, vaccination also helps to prevent Long COVID. A study by Yale researchers found that individuals with post-vaccination syndrome (PVS) had higher levels of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, which has been associated with Long COVID. However, it is important to note that PVS is a rare condition, and the benefits of vaccination in protecting against severe illness and Long COVID outweigh the risks of side effects.

While the FDA is re-evaluating its recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines, it still advises that high-risk groups, including seniors, adults with weakened immune systems, and people with underlying health conditions, receive yearly COVID-19 shots.

Vaccines are safe and effective for pregnant women

While there have been hospitalizations and even deaths due to COVID-19, studies show that vaccines are safe and effective for pregnant women. In fact, the CDC recommends that everyone get one of the updated 2024-2025 vaccines, especially if they are pregnant.

The COVID-19 vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna appear to be safe for pregnant women. The New England Journal of Medicine found that these vaccines, which use messenger RNA technology (mRNA) to deliver protection, do not pose any serious risks during pregnancy and are effective for pregnant women. The Pfizer vaccine is recommended in Australia for pregnant women and does not contain live coronavirus or additional ingredients harmful to pregnant women. It is now one of three vaccines offered in pregnancy, along with the whooping cough (pertussis) and influenza vaccines.

In the United States, more than 130,000 pregnant women have received a COVID-19 vaccine, and the data is reassuring. Side effects such as a sore arm, headache, or fatigue are common but do not appear to affect the pregnancy. Clinical trials have shown that the two COVID-19 mRNA vaccines now available in the United States are safe for pregnant women. The women in the trials had good responses to the vaccines, producing the needed levels of neutralizing antibodies and memory T cells, which may offer lasting protection.

The research also indicates that the vaccines might offer protection to infants born to vaccinated mothers. In one study, researchers detected no signs that the vaccines caused any unexpected damage to the placenta. This study included 84 women who received COVID-19 mRNA vaccines during pregnancy, most of them in the third trimester. Overall, the studies show that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are safe and effective during pregnancy, with the potential to benefit both mother and baby.

Vaccines are the best way to prevent measles

Measles is a highly contagious disease that can lead to severe health problems, including pneumonia, encephalitis, brain damage, and even death. It is caused by the measles virus, which can remain in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person has left the location. This means that measles can spread rapidly within families and communities, even before the characteristic rash appears.

The best way to prevent measles is through vaccination. The Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Virus Vaccine Live (MMR) is safe and highly effective in preventing measles. It is recommended that children receive two doses of the MMR vaccine, with the first dose administered at 12-15 months of age and the second dose given at 4-6 years old. This vaccine contains live but weakened versions of the measles virus, triggering the immune system to produce antibodies without causing the illness.

The widespread use of the MMR vaccine has led to a significant reduction in measles cases. In the United States, there has been a 99% reduction in measles cases compared to pre-vaccination program rates. However, falling vaccination rates and misinformation have contributed to recent outbreaks in some communities. These outbreaks highlight the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates to protect both those who are vaccinated and those who are unable to be vaccinated, such as infants and immunocompromised individuals.

While breakthrough infections in fully vaccinated individuals are rare, they are possible. However, it is highly unlikely that a vaccinated person will require hospitalization if infected with measles. In contrast, about 1 in 5 unvaccinated people with measles will need to be hospitalized, and the risk of severe complications and death is much higher among this group. Therefore, vaccination is crucial in preventing measles and reducing the burden of this highly contagious and potentially deadly disease.

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