The fat lady has not yet sung

Getting the second (or only) Covid vaccine injection, we all breathe easier. But it's not foolproof. Today Oregon health officials disclosed that there have been 168 "breakthrough" cases in the state, where people got Covid more than two weeks after getting their shot(s).

Three of the 168 people died.

These cases have been reported in 25 counties and all health care preparedness regions (Region 1: 76; Region 2: 29; Region 3: 27; Region 5: 9; Region 6: 4; Region 7: 17; Region 9: 6). OHA is not reporting the regions in which the deaths took place.

Vaccine breakthrough cases are defined as instances in which an individual received a positive COVID-19 test result at least 14 days after the final dose of any COVID-19 vaccine series. Vaccine breakthrough cases can be prevented by basic public health interventions, such as masking, physical distancing and avoiding social gatherings.

The number of vaccine breakthrough cases identified in Oregon represents a very small proportion of the more than 700,000 people in Oregon who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Many of the vaccine breakthrough cases identified experienced asymptomatic infection and were tested for other reasons. Eleven percent (n=19) of the vaccine breakthrough cases were hospitalized within the 30 days following their positive test, and most occurred in people older than 65 or with underlying health conditions. The three deaths represent fewer than 2% of the vaccine breakthrough cases, and none of the vaccine breakthrough cases were associated with a COVID-19 variant. 

In 72 hours, I'll be two weeks past my second shot of the Pfizer. But part of me still has the nagging worries. We're starting to plan some normal activities. I guess I'll be bringing my old friend Dread with me.

Let's see, 168 is what percent of 700,000?  It's 0.024%. Statistically insignificant. 

Unless, of course, it's you.