X-rays compare lungs of vaccinated and unvaccinated COVID patients [Video]

• A doctor in St. Louis, Missouri, shared X-ray photos that show the difference in lung health between vaccinated and unvaccinated COVID-19 patients.
• The unvaccinated person’s X-ray showed lungs clouded with white, which could be bacteria, mucus, or secretions.
• Meanwhile, the vaccinated person’s X-ray showed much clearer lungs filled with air.

Dr. Ghassan Kamel, director of the Medical ICU at SSM Health SLU Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, shared two X-ray photos of COVID-19 patients — one vaccinated and the other unvaccinated — to illustrate the effect of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The X-ray of the unvaccinated person showed that their lung is clouded with white. Dr. Kamel explained that this material could be bacteria, mucus, or secretions, local St. Louis station KSDK reported. 

Dr. Kamel said that the unvaccinated person would “definitely at least would require oxygen and sometimes they would require more than just oxygen. They might require the ventilator or get intubated on mechanical ventilation, sedated, and basically on life support.”

Meanwhile, the X-ray photo for the vaccinated individual shows much clearer lungs. Dr. Kamel explained that healthy lungs appear black in an X-ray, showing that they’re filled with air.

Compared to the unvaccinated person’s X-ray that appeared largely white, the vaccinated patient’s photo appeared much darker.

Dr. Kamel added that vaccinated patients who still test positive for COVID-19 — known as breakthrough cases — rarely need to be sent to the ICU or put on life support, unless they are immunocompromised or have pre-existing conditions.

The doctor expressed his hopes that the images will convince more people that the vaccine can offer protection amid the Delta variant.

The more contagious Delta variant has become the dominant strain in the U.S., causing more severe illness than previous strains. The new surge of cases has prompted health officials to encourage wearing masks again, regardless of vaccination status.

“If you don’t like the mask, you definitely won’t like the ventilator,” Dr. Kamel pointed out.

President Joe Biden continued to encourage everyone to get vaccinated, just as the nation finally reached a 70% vaccination milestone.

Source: PEOPLE