University of Minnesota studying vaccine impact of COVID-19 spread in young adults - Minneapolis Star Tribune

The University of Minnesota is recruiting 150 young adults to study how effectively COVID-19 vaccine limits spread of the corona­virus — a key question when health officials fear that a delta variant of the virus is spreading more rapidly.

The Prevent COVID U study being conducted by academic medical centers in 25 states was launched before the emergence of the delta variant in the U.S.

The Minnesota Department of Health on Wednesday reported 499 infections involving the delta variant that were identified through genomic sequencing analysis of a sampling of positive specimens.

"In rare occasions, some vaccinated people infected with the delta variant after vaccination may be contagious and spread the virus to others.

Some participants will provide blood samples for the study, which Kline said will assess the amount of virus in infected people and whether that varies by whether they are vaccinated.

Breakthrough coronavirus infections remain rare, despite concerns that vaccinated people infected with the delta variant can spread the virus.