Definition
When you get sick despite being vaccinated, proving that vaccines aren't magical force fields but rather significant risk reducers. Usually milder than if you were unvaccinated, but still annoying enough to complain about.
Example Usage
She had a breakthrough infection after her COVID vaccine, but at least she only felt miserable instead of ending up in the ICU.
Origin
Immunology term that gained mainstream popularity during COVID-19 pandemic
Fun Fact
Breakthrough infections often produce stronger immune responses than the vaccine alone, making your immune system overachieving and showing off.
Source: Immunology and infectious disease terminology
Related Terms
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See “breakthrough infection” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
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