Four people in Oregon who were fully vaccinated have recently tested positive for COVID-19, health officials announced Friday.
Two of the “breakthrough cases” have been reported in Yamhill County, and the others are in Lane County, the Oregon Health Authority said in a statement.
The four individuals contracted the virus 14 days after receiving the second dose of the vaccine, the OHA said, adding that their symptoms ranged from none to mild.
Health officials say less severe cases of COVID-19 reported after inoculation shows the vaccine is still effective.
“Clinical trials of both vaccines presently in use included breakthrough cases. In those cases, even though the participants got COVID, the vaccines reduced the severity of illness,” says the OHA, which is investigating the origins of the cases.
Results from genomic sequencing samples taken from the four patients are expected next week, officials said.
Officials added that they expect to see more breakthrough cases, and encourage the public to continue wearing face masks as well as follow guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.