Seven members of the New York Yankees’ coaching and support staff tested positive for COVID-19 after being vaccinated against the virus.
The seven staff members were given the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which is 72% effective against COVID-19 in U.S. trials and 85% effective at preventing serious illness. Six of the 7 COVID-positive staff members have no symptoms, according to Yankees Manager Aaron Boone.
Experts say that vaccines are still helpful even if someone vaccinated eventually gets the virus because they can help prevent the kind of severe infections that lead to hospitalizations and deaths. The fact that the six infected staff members have no symptoms shows how “remarkably great” the vaccines are, said Dr. Jonathan Reiner, a professor of medicine and surgery at George Washington University.
The staffers were vaccinated with the single-dose vaccine on April 7, and it takes about two weeks to get the full benefits of the vaccine. In the meantime, vaccinated individuals remain vulnerable to infection.
JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE MAY BE LINKED TO ANXIETY AND FAINTING, ACCORDING TO CDC
Yankees shortstop Gleyber Torres did not play in Wednesday’s game either, with the player waiting for results from his COVID-19 test. Torres already had the virus in December of last year, and he has also been vaccinated.
The news comes two weeks after the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lifted their temporary pause on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which was implemented in response to reports of blood clots in patients who had received the shots.
Officials have said, however, that the one-dose vaccine is safe and effective for people over 18 years old.
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“We have concluded that the known and potential benefits of the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine outweigh its known and potential risks in individuals 18 years of age and older. We are confident that this vaccine continues to meet our standards for safety, effectiveness, and quality. We recommend people with questions about which vaccine is right for them have those discussions with their healthcare provider,” said acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock.
