Washington
(July 22, 2021) – In light of the numerous reported COVID-19 breakthrough cases
across the country, Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today queried the Center
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the steps it is taking to ensure
that Americans have the most comprehensive, accurate, and up-to-date
information on breakthrough cases, those cases of fully vaccinated people
testing positive for the coronavirus. As of June, there have been nearly 4,000
fully-vaccinated residents in Massachusetts who have tested positive for
COVID-19, 700 of whom have tested positive over the course of just one week.
“Although
COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective at preventing serious illness and most
cases are occurring in unvaccinated people, it is important that the CDC remain
vigilant and transparent in its surveillance of breakthrough cases,” writes Senator
Markey in his letter for CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky. “The American
public must be informed of the continued risks posed by COVID-19 and variants,
and public health and medical officials, as well as health care providers, must
have robust data and information to guide their decisions on public health
measures.”
copy of the letter can be found HERE.
In
the letter to the CDC, Senator Markey requests responses to questions that
include:
- Why
did the CDC announce that it would no longer require states to report
information to the CDC on breakthrough cases that do not require
hospitalization? - What
action is the CDC undertaking to monitor breakthrough cases for people who
are not hospitalized? - Is
the CDC collecting and publishing racial, ethnic, gender, age, and
location data on these breakthrough cases, including people who are not
hospitalized? - Does
the CDC plan to update its public health guidance, including testing and
masking guidance, for fully vaccinated individuals regarding breakthrough
cases? - Is
immunity from vaccines decreasing in light of these breakthrough cases?
