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Is there a consensus on whether people vaccinated against COVID-19 are less likely to transmit the virus?

Tuesday, November 9, 2021
By Lisa Freedland
This Fact Brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
NO

The medical community currently lacks consensus on whether people vaccinated against COVID-19 are less likely to spread the virus than unvaccinated people.

New Scientist cited several studies that found vaccinated individuals infected with COVID-19 are between 63% and 89% less likely to transmit the virus.

However, a Lancet study published October 29 found that while vaccination "reduces the risk of Delta variant infection and accelerates viral clearance," once infected, vaccinated individuals transmit the virus at similar rates to unvaccinated individuals.

Nature offers a third take, reporting that vaccinated individuals infected with COVID-19 are initially less likely to transmit the virus, but the "protective effect...dwindles alarmingly" three months after vaccination.

Sources
New Scientist How much less likely are you to spread COVID-19 if you're vaccinated?
The Lancet Community transmission and viral load kinetics of the SARS-CoV-2 delta (B.1.617.2) variant in vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals in the UK: a prospective, longitudinal, cohort study
Nature COVID vaccines cut the risk of transmitting Delta — but not for long
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About fact briefs published on Gigafact
Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.