Page 20 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021 Breakthrough case review finds 97 percent of COVID-19 cases in vaccinated individuals don’t result in severe illness O n December 20, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) released a review of breakthrough COVID-19 cases in vaccinated Massachusetts residents and found nearly 97 percent of all breakthrough cases in the Commonwealth have not resulted in hospitalization or death. Additionally, the review found unvaccinated residents are five times more likely to become infected than fully vaccinated residents (two doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine or one dose of Johnson & Johnson) and unvaccinated residents are 31 times more likely to become infected than fully vaccinated residents who have received a booster. BUSINESS | FROM PAGE 17 fall for it! • Do research before making online payments and purchases. When shopping online, or if asked to make a payment online, research the retailer before entering payment information. Ask: Is this a person or business I know and trust? Do they have a working customer service number? Where is the company physically located? Would I be making payments through a secure servThe review also found that 99.9 percent of breakthrough cases among fully vaccinated people under the age of 60 did not result in death. Among the breakthrough cases for residents over the age of 60, 97 percent did not result in death. No deaths have been reported in breakthrough cases among those under age 30. “The data are clear. This review shows that fully vaccinated people in Massachusetts have near-universal protection from severe illness and death and that boosters are demonstrating even stronger protection from COVID,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders. “Amid the er (https://....com)? Have I checked to see if others have complained? • Use your best judgment when sharing personal information. Sharing sensitive personal information with scammers opens the door to identity theft. Never share financial information, birthdate, address or Social Security/health insurance/Medicare number with an unsolicited caller. • Be social media smart. Make use of privacy settings on social media and only conseason of gathering indoors and the emerging Omicron variant, the time to get vaccinated and boosted is now. It is the best gift of protection for yourself and your loved ones.” “Vaccination continues to be the most effective tool we have against Omicron and all COVID-19 variants,” said Acting DPH Commissioner Margret Cooke. “The data indicates that fully vaccinated and boosted individuals are well protected from severe outcomes of COVID-19, including hospitalization and death and the Department of Public Health strongly urges all residents to get vaccinated and, when appropriate, get a booster.” nect with people you know. Be careful about including personal information in your profile and never reveal address and other sensitive information – even in a “fun” quiz. Scammers may use this information to make themselves pass as a friend or relative and earn your trust. Also, be careful when buying products you saw on social media. BBB Scam Tracker has received thousands of complaints about misleading Facebook and Instagram ads. For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 617-387-2200 or Info@advocatenews.net
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