Underlying health conditions and advanced age are strongly related to "breakthrough" COVID-19 cases, state data show.
Data about breakthrough infections that the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services added to the COVID-19 dashboard Thursday show that only 654 Missourians who were fully vaccinated have died of complications resulting from COVID-19.
The data also show that 3.1 million Missourians were fully vaccinated (meaning it had been at least two weeks since they completed the vaccination protocol) as of Thursday. Only 54,285 (about 2 percent) of those who were fully vaccinated have suffered breakthrough cases.
The data show that vaccines continue to be effective tools to protect Missourians from serious illness, DHSS Director Donald Kauerauf said.
And, the data highlight the importance of receiving boosters when eligible, especially for those with high risks of the illness causing them hospitalization or death.
Missouri Hospital Association President Jon Doolittle points out that hospitalizations are extremely rare for people who have completed vaccination protocols, and deaths are even more rare. Only about .02 percent of fully vaccinated Missourians have had breakthrough cases that resulted in death.
This story will be updated in Friday's News Tribune.