Although currently available vaccines are extremely effective against symptomatic disease, it takes about two weeks after the second dose to provide that high degree of protection, according to infectious disease experts. With some lawmakers exposed shortly after the first or second shooting, these experts say it’s not surprising that they became infected after being described as a “superspreader” event.
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (DN.J.), Adriano Espaillat (DN.Y.), Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tenn.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Brad Schneider (D-Ill.) And Lou Correa (D-Wash.) -California) reported all positive test results since January 6.
It is impossible to know exactly when and where these members of Congress became infected, especially since someone can catch the virus up to 14 days before getting a positive test. However, experts say that day at the Capitol was probably very risky for viral transmission.
Dr. Simone Wildes, an infectious disease doctor and contributor to ABC News, described the day as “the classic situation we tell everyone to avoid … a small, crowded, poorly ventilated space without wearing masks.”
“We think of such an event as a superspreader,” Wildes said.
Some of these lawmakers are now accusing their co-workers of risky exposure during the riots, reporting that they took refuge in rooms with several Republican lawmakers who refused to wear a mask. Punchbowl News posted a video of lawmakers, some without masks, huddled together while sheltering together during the January 6 events. In the video, some members of Congress, including Rep. Markwayne Mullin, were seen refusing to accept a mask when offered.
The attending physician of Congress, Dr. Brian Monahan, notified all lawmakers of the possible exposure to the virus and recommended that every person there be tested that day.
Many parliamentarians who tested positive after January 6 had already received one or two doses of COVID-19 vaccine. However, this does not guarantee them complete protection, especially if they are in a very risky situation.
Coleman, Jayapal and Schneider had received only one of the two required doses of COVID-19 vaccine. After receiving a dose of vaccine, research from experimental studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine indicates that a person is likely to be only about 50% protected.
Espaillat had received both doses of the vaccine. He reported receiving the second dose in the same week as the riot. Once someone receives the second dose of the vaccine, it takes time for the immunity to develop. The Moderna vaccine is 94% effective two weeks after the second dose, and the Pfizer vaccine is 95% effective one week after the second dose.
“I received the second dose of vaccine # COVID19 last week and I understand [effects] take your time, “Espaillat wrote on his Twitter.” I continued to be tested regularly, to wear a mask and to follow the recommended recommendations ”.
If Espaillat was exposed to the virus on January 6 and received the second dose of vaccine in the same week, he may not have had maximum protection yet.
Wildes pointed out that even people who are fully vaccinated with both doses are still potentially at risk of contracting the virus. Vaccines are about 95% effective, according to the companies, which means that about 5% of people who receive the vaccine can still develop symptomatic diseases after being exposed. Also, other groups of people, such as those who are immunocompromised, may not develop as much immunity.
“We have prevention when we get the vaccine, but it’s not 100%,” Wildes said. She also pointed out that some things are still unknown. For example, large clinical trials demonstrating the effectiveness of vaccines have only been tested to see if vaccines work to prevent COVID-19 disease with visible symptoms, such as coughing, sneezing, or fever.
But about 59 percent of COVID-19 transmission comes from asymptomatic people, according to a study by CDC researchers published in the JAMA Network Open, and scientists still do not have a solid understanding of the effectiveness of the vaccine that blocks asymptomatic diseases.
This potentially means that “you can still harbor the virus and eventually spread it to others,” Wildes said.
This is why public health experts say that, even after both shots, people must continue to wear masks and remain socially distanced until science provides better answers about asymptomatic transmission after vaccination.
“Even if you’ve been vaccinated, that doesn’t mean you should give up your guard,” Wildes said.
Rose Marie Leslie, MD, is a head of family medicine, a resident of the University of Minnesota School of Medicine and a contributor to the ABC News Medical Unit.