The results of a so-called pre-print study from Singapore show that the rate of infection and transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in vaccinated individuals is similar to that in unvaccinated individuals. Data from the U.S. and Asia fuel the suspicion that the viral loads of the two groups are roughly identical.
However, scientific analyses based on data from travelers and large public events have also shown that vaccination and its associated efficacy have merit. The viral load is higher in the delta mutant than in the alpha variant, the experts explain. However, the virus is passed on almost identically in vaccinated and unvaccinated people, which is why even vaccinated people should wear masks when traveling and at large events to avoid infecting other people.
However, the course of infection is markedly different from that of unvaccinated persons, who may nevertheless carry an equally high viral load. However, the viral load decreases more rapidly after vaccination, which means that the fight against coronaviruses takes place in a shorter time, so that the duration of infection is also shortened. Neutralizing antibodies after two vaccinations render the virus harmless more quickly.
Therefore, a PCR test can be used not only to detect infection, but also to determine a person’s viral load. A low Ct value, which is related to the multiplication cycles of the viruses, indicates that the person carries a high viral load and is therefore more infectious. The RKI’s guideline value is 30; higher values above 30 therefore mean that there is no longer any infection. Vaccinated persons usually reach these values after nine days, while non-vaccinated persons are exposed to an increased risk of infection for 14 days. Vaccinated individuals therefore have a shorter infection period and thus a shorter isolation period to endure. It is also possible that they experience less transmission of the virus, but this has not yet been confirmed by new analyses.
Thus, even after the second vaccination, there is no 100% protection, but there is protection against severe Covid 19 disease. As long as there is no herd immunity, the study authors from Singapore conclude, virus outbreaks will continue to occur. Therefore, wearing a mask makes sense even for vaccinated individuals.
Source: www.focus.de