Pennsylvania Acting Secretary of Health, Allison Beam released a report on Tuesday, Sept. 14 on Pennsylvania's post-vaccination COVID case data. Commonly referred to as "breakthrough cases."

Beam says that 94% of of COVID-19 cases in PA reported between Jan. 1 and Sept. 7 are from either unvaccinated on non-fully-vaccinated individuals. Beam went on to say that fully vaccinated individuals are seven times less likely to get infected with COVID-19.

Additionally, 95% of PA COVID-related hospitalizations and 97% of PA COVID-related deaths are unvaccinated or non-fully-vaccinated individuals.

However, Beam noted that no vaccine is 100% effective and as such, post-vaccination cases are still to be expected.

Beam was also joined by Dr. Michael Ripchinski, Chief Clinical Officer for Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health. Ripchinski said rates of breakthrough infections are only about one to two percent over a six-month period.

Ripchinski went on to mention study recently released by the CDC of 600,000 people across 13 states and cities from April to mid-July. The study shows that unvaccinated individuals are five times more likely to be infected, 10 times more likely to be hospitalized and 11 times more likely to die. 

According to Ripchinski ithin Penn Medicine, about 80-85% of patients admitted with COVID are unvaccinated. Of the small amount who are vaccinated, most are either immunocompromised or are admitted for reasons other than COVID. 

Both Beam and Ripchinski agree that the vaccine is the most effective tool to protect Pennsylvanians from COVID. 

"With nearly seven million Pennsylvanians fully vaccinated, the data makes it clear: the vaccines are safe and effective at preventing severe illness from COVID-19," Beam said.

"While masking and social distancing will help to reduce the risk of becoming infected and transmitting COVID-19, vaccines are the most effective way to protect those who are vulnerable, including the immunocompromised, and our children who are too young to get the vaccine," Ripchinski said.