Aren't the viral loads similar between the unvaccinated and fully vaccinated
The viral loads in respiratory mucous at the peak are similar, sure, so from that one-dimensional metric that antivaxxers seem fixated in, it doesn't matter.
But vaccinated people:
1. Have fewer chances of getting infected.
2. The incubation period is shorter so, if infected they go around spreading it for a shorter amount of time.
3. Their disease lasts for much shorter so, again, less time spreading it around.
4. The symptoms are milder, so the chances of contaminating via coughing/sneezing are lower.
And let's not forget infecting other health workers reduces the quality of healthcare access overall.
I think more precise language is warranted here. If you're vaccinated, you have a reduced risk of becoming infected if exposed. The protection of the vaccines against infection, however, appears to decrease fairly rapidly, hence the discussion around boosters.
But if a vaccinated person (especially one who has lower neutralizing antibodies) puts themselves in environments where they inevitably have more exposures (think crowded, poorly-ventilated indoor spaces like bars) and they are not as vigilant about mask wearing, they might have a relatively higher risk of getting a breakthrough infection than even an unvaccinated person whose behavior leaves them with fewer exposures.
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The viral loads in respiratory mucous at the peak are similar, sure, so from that one-dimensional metric that antivaxxers seem fixated in, it doesn't matter.
But vaccinated people:
1. Have fewer chances of getting infected.
2. The incubation period is shorter so, if infected they go around spreading it for a shorter amount of time.
3. Their disease lasts for much shorter so, again, less time spreading it around.
4. The symptoms are milder, so the chances of contaminating via coughing/sneezing are lower.
And let's not forget infecting other health workers reduces the quality of healthcare access overall.
I think more precise language is warranted here. If you're vaccinated, you have a reduced risk of becoming infected if exposed. The protection of the vaccines against infection, however, appears to decrease fairly rapidly, hence the discussion around boosters.
But if a vaccinated person (especially one who has lower neutralizing antibodies) puts themselves in environments where they inevitably have more exposures (think crowded, poorly-ventilated indoor spaces like bars) and they are not as vigilant about mask wearing, they might have a relatively higher risk of getting a breakthrough infection than even an unvaccinated person whose behavior leaves them with fewer exposures.