Nine NY Yankees fully vaccinated with Johnson & Johnson, have tested positive for Covid-19. One player, shortstop Gleyber Torres tested positive for Covid-19 despite being fully vaccinated and having previously contracted the coronavirus during the off season.
Also testing positive were pitching coach Matt Blake, third base coach Phil Nevin, first base coach Reggie Willits and four traveling staff.
All but one of those infected were asymptomatic meaning they could spread the virus not even knowing they had the COVID virus.
“When you read the fine print, they tell you that you still could get the Covid and the vaccination is to protect you from the symptoms, either to eliminate them all together and protect you if not fully protection then the percentages,” New York general manager Brian Cashman said.
“With regard to the Yankees, we obviously need to learn more about that situation,” CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said. “My understanding is that six of the seven reports, six of the seven infections, were indeed asymptomatic infections. And we will look to more data from that report to understand what happened there. All of the real-world data we’ve seen that’s been in the published literature, large studies, in many different settings, have demonstrated that those vaccines are effective, have a high effectiveness against disease.”
The Yankees said the team is undergoing additional testing and contact tracing, with the assistance of the baseball commissioner’s office and its medical experts. The New York State Department of Health is advising the team. “We’ve been rocked here the last several days,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “I think it’s stopped all of us a little bit in our tracks. We’re dealing with a lot. Our heads are spinning trying to get our hands wrapped around everything.”
So as we rush to return to normal by removing all our masks, you might wonder, are breakthrough cases possible? Well when half of a team can be re-infected, I would venture to say, yes.