- On Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released data that showed the COVID-19 Delta variant could cause infections even among fully vaccinated people.
- The CDC report was based on a COVID-19 outbreak in Massachusetts, where 69% of the eligible population are fully vaccinated.
- Out of 469 COVID-19 cases, 74% were among those who had received both COVID-19 shots from Pfizer (PFE -0.1%)/ BioNTech (BNTX +4.4%) and Moderna (MRNA +2.9%) or single-dose vaccine from Johnson & Johnson (JNJ -0.0%).
- After genetic sequencing 133 individuals, the Delta variant of the coronavirus was detected in 89% of samples, indicating the prevalence of the highly contagious variant.
- Notably, 274 (79%) of vaccinated patients with so-called “breakthrough infections” were symptomatic. Out of five hospitalizations, four were fully vaccinated, but there were no deaths, the federal agency said.
- The CDC calls the vaccination the most important strategy to prevent the severe form of COVID-19 and death.
- However, citing the findings of the analysis, the agency says that tougher public health measures such as indoor masking are likely irrespective of vaccination status even in areas “without substantial or high COVID-19 transmission.”
- Early this week, CDC updated guidance recommending indoor masks for those in areas with substantial and high levels of COVID-19 transmission.
- COVID-19 vaccine developers: Novavax (NVAX -1.2%), Moderna (MRNA +2.9%) AstraZeneca (AZN -0.6%), Vaxart (VXRT -8.1%), Ocugen (OCGN -1.3%), Inovio Pharmaceuticals (INO -1.5%), GlaxoSmithKline (GSK -0.1%), Sanofi (SNY)
- Mask and PPE manufacturers: Lakeland Industries (LAKE +5.0%), Alpha Pro Tech (APT +14.8%), Allied Healthcare Products (AHPI +59.4%), Ulta Beauty (ULTA +0.2%)