CentraCare Says 20% of COVID Patients Are Breakthrough Cases

(KNSI) – CentraCare Health says about 20% of patients being treated for COVID-19 at St. Cloud Hospital are breakthrough cases. CentraCare COVID-19 Incident Commander Dr. Goerge Morris says most breakthrough cases are in older residents who needed a vaccine booster.

“They were vaccinated in the spring but they’re older, 65 and above, and their immune responses just starting to peter off. So, that means that when they get exposed to the virus they can catch it.”

According to CentraCare officials, all but four of the 24 people being treated at St. Cloud Hospital were 65 or older and due for a booster shot. Dr. Morris says waning immunity is an issue with all vaccines and viruses.

“You know, we assumed that the COVID vaccine might be different but, it’s not. A lot of shots need a primary series and a booster and that’s where we’re at right now with COVID. It’s time for a booster.”

He says other common vaccines also require a first shot followed by boosters or second dose later include the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps and rubella), chickenpox vaccine, diphtheria, acellular pertussis, tetanus shots (Tdap vaccine), and hepatitis A and B.

Morris says those vaccines are common and were primarily given to us as kids. The Minnesota Department of Health says if federal approval for COVID boosters isn’t approved this week, the state is prepared to authorize boosters for anyone 18 years old or older.

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