The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mRNA Vaccine-Breakthrough Infection Phenotype Includes Significant Symptoms, Live Virus Shedding, and Viral Genetic Diversity

Little is known about severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccine-breakthrough infections (VBIs). Here we characterize 24 VBIs in predominantly young healthy persons. While none required hospitalization, a proportion endorsed severe symptoms and shed live virus as high as 4.13 x 10(3) plaque-forming units/mL. Infecting genotypes included both variant-of-concern (VOC) and non-VOC strains.

Automated summary

This study characterizes 24 vaccine-breakthrough infections in mostly young healthy individuals, finding that while none required hospitalization, some experienced severe symptoms and shed high levels of live virus. The infecting genotypes included variant-of-concern (VOC) and non-VOC strains.