NEARLY 9 OUT OF 10 RECENT COVID-19 CASES IN ERIE COUNTY WERE NOT FULLY VACCINATED

Erie County Department of Health reviewed vaccination records for new confirmed COVID-19 cases over three-week period

ERIE COUNTY, NY— Based on data retrieved from the New York State Immunization Information System (NYSIIS) by the Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH), nearly nine out of 10 new COVID-19 cases from late May until mid-June were not fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

From 639 new COVID-19 cases reported to ECDOH for the period May 23-June 13, 2021, 85.3% did not have any record of a COVID-19 vaccination, while 6.3% were partially vaccinated and 8.5% were fully vaccinated. A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after they receive the second dose of a two-dose series, or two weeks after a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine. 91.5% of new COVID-19 cases in this time period were not fully vaccinated.

The ECDOH Office of Epidemiology reviewed these fully vaccinated individuals’ case records for reported COVID-19 symptoms. Of these fully vaccinated individuals, 65% were symptomatic, 21% were asymptomatic and 14% either declined to answer or were not reached for an interview. Further, approximately 50% reported underlying medical conditions. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vaccination may make COVID-19 illness less severe for those who are vaccinated and still get sick.

“These data reinforce what we have been saying since this vaccine was introduced: vaccines work,” said Commissioner of Health Dr. Gale Burstein. “As vaccination rates have increased this spring, we have experienced a sharp decline in the number of new COVID-19 cases. This speaks to the power of vaccination and other public health interventions in reducing disease prevalence in our community.” 

She continued, “The most recent data from New York State on vaccination by age group show that 84% of Erie County residents ages 65-74 and almost 76% of residents ages 75 and older have completed the series. Very strong vaccination rates among older Erie County residents have contributed to a lower proportion of COVID-19-related hospitalizations among the 65 and older age groups.”

“As we look ahead, realize that vaccination against COVID-19 is a tool to protect your own health, and has a protective benefit for those around you who either cannot be vaccinated because they are under 12 years of age, or people who are immunocompromised and may not mount a strong immune response after vaccination,” Dr. Burstein explained. 

Erie County: Vaccination Status of new COVID-19 Cases

Source: New York State Immunization Information System, June 16, 2021

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• ECDOH, COVID-19 vaccine info & clinic schedule: http://www.erie.gov/vax
• ECDOH, COVID-19 Information Line: (716) 858-2929 – foreign language interpretation available

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