As doctor-researcher Craig Spencer points out in an article in The Atlantic, what many vaccinated people often hear said, justifying their increased vigilance, is that "vaccinated people are just as likely to transmit the coronavirus". He speaks of a misunderstanding, noting that this position causes unnecessary fear among those vaccinated, while at the same time undermining the importance and effectiveness of vaccination.
He emphasizes, not, that vaccinated people are not as likely to transmit the coronavirus as unvaccinated, adding that even in the US, where he has been fully vaccinated 50% of the population, the unvaccinated are responsible for the vast majority of cases of virus transmission.
"If someone is not infected, can not transmit coronavirus "
To spread COVID-19, one must have the virus as he claims. And vaccinated people are much less likely to have the virus.
Despite concerns about weakening immunity, Vaccines provide the best protection against infection. And if someone is not infected, can not transmit coronavirus.
It's really that simple, emphasizes Dr. Spencer. It also adds that a vaccinated person, even when he gets sick, is probably contagious for a shorter period of time compared to unvaccinated and may carry less infectious viral load overall.
The example of two marriages
Using an example from the real world, imagine two marriages with 100 guests, one where everyone is unvaccinated and one where all guests are vaccinated.
At the wedding of the unvaccinated, the chance of at least one of the guests having COVID-19 is high. Similarly, everyone present is more susceptible and the virus is likely to infect many people, given the increased transmissibility of the Delta variant.
However, at the wedding with exclusively vaccinated guests, the chance of someone being present having COVID-19 is minimal. Even if someone present is infected, the probability of other guests being infected with the virus is correspondingly low, given the protection provided by their vaccines, emphasizes Dr. Spencer.
As he explains, this is exactly why the need for vaccination is so important and why events that exclude the unvaccinated are much safer than those that are open to all. Everyone knows that the vaccine protects the person who does it. However, when more people are vaccinated, this helps keep everyone else safe - including children and those who do not qualify for vaccination.
Source: The Atlantic
