The COVID-19 vaccines are extremely effective in protecting fully vaccinated people from catching and spreading the virus. Unvaccinated people are 11 times more likely to die of COVID-19 than fully vaccinated people (according to CDC data, August 2021). While COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective, no vaccine provides 100% immunity.
Because this is a new virus, scientists and medical experts continue to monitor how long immunity lasts, how well the vaccines protect against new variants of the virus, and whether some groups may need additional doses. Secretary Powell, while vaccinated, was also being treated for Parkinson’s disease and multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer. The medications he had to take for his health conditions made the vaccine less effective. This is one reason why it is so important for other people to get vaccinated, to protect people with health conditions like Secretary Powell from getting COVID.