Experts say his death should not be interpreted as a failure of COVID-19 vaccines in the broader population.
The death of Colin Powell from complications of COVID-19, despite being fully vaccinated, represents a rare but potential tragedy that can occur when the coronavirus infects someone with a severely compromised immune system, experts say. Before developing COVID-19, the 84-year-old former four-star general and secretary of State was suffering from an acute cancer of the blood, known as multiple myeloma. Not only can that cancer lead to a weaker immune system, but treatments can sap it further. “People who are immunocompromised don’t get the full benefit from vaccines,” said Dr. Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, chair of UC San Francisco’s Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. Federal officials estimate people with compromised immune systems account for 3% of the population nationwide. Experts say Powell’s death should not be interpreted as a failure of COVID-19 vaccines in the broader population. “This, to me, is not a story of the vaccines not working,” Bibbins-Domingo said. For Powell, “the vaccines were never going to work as well as they might’ve in a healthy person because of his immunocompromised state.” One piece of misinformation widely circulated by those who oppose the COVID-19 vaccine is that the shots are not effective in reducing the risk of transmission. That idea is false, Bibbins-Domingo said, adding that the COVID-19 vaccine is considered highly effective when compared with other vaccines. Still, any vaccine works better with a healthy immune system, according to Dr.
