Dr. Shafer's editorial on vaccination in the November issue of the ASA Monitor1 makes the following statements in favor of vaccination:
My parents, spouse, siblings, and children won't get COVID-19 from me.
My friends won't get COVID-19 from me.
My coworkers won't get COVID-19 from me.
My patients won't get COVID-19 from me.
To the best of my knowledge, no data suggest that vaccinated individuals who have breakthrough COVID-19 infections can't transmit COVID-19 to others, as the above text implies.
Sterling Wood, DO
Oceanport, New Jersey
Reference:
Editor's Reply:
Dr. Wood is correct. Vaccinated patients with breakthrough infections can readily transmit COVID-19 to others. I did not anticipate that my text would be interpreted as he did, and I apologize for not being more precise. Point 2 of the editorial says, “I have reduced the risk of my passing COVID-19 to others.” In bullet points a, b, c, and d, I wanted to point out the many individuals who would not get COVID-19 if I didn't get COVID-19. I did not mean to imply that vaccinated individuals with breakthrough infections are unable to transmit COVID-19. While the secondary attack rate from vaccinated individuals with breakthrough infections (25%) is less than for unvaccinated individuals with COVID-19 (38%), it is still significant.1 I appreciate Dr. Wood bringing this to my attention and providing an opportunity to clarify this potential misunderstanding of my editorial.
Reference:
Steven L. Shafer, MD, FASA
Editor-in-Chief
ASA Monitor
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