CDC Enhances Breakthrough Infection Case Reporting

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently confirmed it is transitioning to reporting 'only patients with COVID-19 vaccine Breakthrough Infection hospitalized or died to help maximize the quality of the data collected.'

That change in reporting will begin on May 14, 2021.

In preparation for that transition, the number of reported breakthrough cases will not be updated on May 7, 2021, stated the CDC. As of May 9th, the CDC disclosed the total number of vaccine Breakthrough Infections reported was 9,245.

According to the CDC, a COVID-19 vaccine Breakthrough Infection case is a 'person who has SARS-CoV-2 RNA or antigen detected on a respiratory specimen collected ≥14 days after completing the primary series of a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-authorized COVID-19 vaccine.

State health departments have been reporting Breakthrough cases to CDC, which monitors patient demographics, geographic location, time since vaccination, vaccine type or lot number, and SARS-CoV-2 lineage.

As of April 26th, the CDC received reports of vaccine breakthrough infections from 46 U.S. states and territories. The key demographics were Females 63%; People aged ≥60 years 45%; Asymptomatic infections 27%; Hospitalizations 9%; and Deaths 1%.

The CDC stated it is leading multiple vaccine effectiveness studies to ensure COVID-19 vaccines are working as expected to bring more data to the public.

Currently, the CDC has Authorized three experimental COVID-19 vaccines, which are pending U.S. FDA Approvals.