September 14, 2021 - Lancaster, PA
The Pennsylvania Department of Health's report on COVID-19 post-vaccination cases, commonly known as "breakthrough cases," shows the overwhelming majority of cases, hospitalizations and deaths in the state are among the unvaccinated."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," Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam said during a news conference at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital's Suburban Pavilion."The overwhelming majority of the COVID-19 related cases, hospitalizations and deaths in Pennsylvania occurred in people who were not vaccinated," she said. "In fact, the data shows that compared to unvaccinated people, fully vaccinated Pennsylvanians are seven times less likely to get COVID-19, and eight times less likely to die from COVID-19."Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital's Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Michael Ripchinski agrees. "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."
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