COVID-19 Delta variant
Yuan Po-Tu, MD, explains what you need to know.
Why being fully vaccinated matters
Even with the Delta variant, the mRNA vaccines are very effective. A fully vaccinated person is eight times less likely to be infected with the Delta variant compared to a person who isn't vaccinated.
Compared to a person who isn't vaccinated, a fully vaccinated person infected with COVID-19 is also 20 to 25 times less likely to need care in a hospital or to die from it.
The Washington State Department of Health reported that among recent cases of COVID-19 that involved death or someone needing hospital care, 94% of those cases were people who were not fully vaccinated.
Vaccinations and masks: your best protection
The most effective ways to protect yourself, your family and your community are by getting vaccinated and wearing a mask.
Whether you're vaccinated or not vaccinated, masking is still needed indoors and outdoors where social distancing isn't possible. The reason vaccinations and masks are so important is that the Delta variant has 1,000 times more virus than previous COVID-19 strains.
When you're vaccinated, you have antibodies and T cells that can handle an exposure (coming into contact) with COVID-19. If you have a massive exposure of virus, the virus can overwhelm the antibodies and T cells in your body, and you can get infected.
If you have questions about getting vaccinated, contact us. You can also visit our COVID-19 vaccination information page for more information.
To learn more about the Delta variant, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
Source:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for professional health care. You should consult an appropriate health care professional for your specific needs.