COVID-19 Vaccines Reduce Viral Load, Severity in Breakthrough Cases, Studies Find

People who contract COVID-19 even after vaccination are likely to have a lower viral load, experience a shorter infection time and have milder symptoms than unvaccinated individuals, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. "If you get vaccinated, about 90% of the time you're not going to get COVID-19," said Jeff Burgess, an associate professor at the University of Arizona Health Sciences. "Even if you do get it, there will be less of the virus in you and your illness is likely to be much milder."