Photo courtesy of Ochsner
Health officials say it’s the Delta variant of COVID that is responsible for a majority of breakthrough cases among the vaccinated. Ochsner Health Director of Hospital Quality Dr. Sandra Kemmerly said there’s another trend in breakthrough cases when someone was inoculated in the vaccine rollout.
“Many of our breakthrough cases, who were vaccinated in the early parts, January, February, March so that seems to be what’s happening with patients,” said Kemmerly.
When asked if the number of breakthrough cases is an indicator of the need for a vaccine booster shot, Kemmerly said they are awaiting guidance, but she believes it’s on the horizon.
“When the FDA actually makes the recommendations that we can proceed with boosters, we’re following that very closely, but it’s still not allowed under the EUA guidance from FDA and CDC,” said Kemmerly.
The FDA is reportedly expected to authorize the use of booster shots for both Moderna and Pfizer among the immunocompromised in the coming days.
Both Pfizer and Moderna have issued research touting the need for booster shots but as to who would ideally receive them first, those who are immune-compromised or among the first to be vaccinated, Kemmerly said it remains to be seen.
“And whether or not it becomes a specific group or a time period that still remains to be seen but clearly boosters are likely to be in our future for some of our patients,” said Kemmerly.
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