CDC newsletter promotes NC breakthrough case study

North Carolina study is 'self-reported' and not yet peer-reviewed

The CDC’s Oct 22 update includes an NC study of breakthrough vaccination cases that is not yet peer-reviewed and makes the inexplicable conclusion younger persons already vaccinated should cross-pollinate their shots and continue mask usage:

Implications: SARS-CoV-2 infection following full vaccination was infrequent. Younger adults and those vaccinated with Ad26.COV2.S, among whom breakthrough infections occurred more commonly, may benefit from combining vaccination with additional prevention approaches, such as consistent mask use.

The graphs suggest that the more time that goes by after vaccination, the less protection it gives.

The CDC summary left out A LOT of important details from the NC study, such as this being a self-reported survey setting:

Breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infections after vaccination in North Carolinaexternal icon. Uschner et al. medRxiv (October 13, 2021).

Design: Prospective observational cohort study utilizing daily online survey data to capture information about COVID-19 symptoms, testing, and vaccination status.

Setting: Six health care systems in North Carolina with data collected between January 15, 2021 and September 24, 2021.

Participants: Adult study participants who reported full vaccination with a COVID-19 mRNA or J&J non-replicating viral vector vaccine (n =16,020).

Exposures: Potential community exposure to SARS-CoV-2.

Main Outcome and Measures: Self-reported breakthrough infection.