The context: But the U.S. vaccination campaign began in December which means millions of vaccinated Americans are likely significantly less protected than when they completed their first round of shots.

That’s not even accounting for the possibility that the vaccines are less effective against the Delta variant specifically, in addition to losing potency over time.

That means that — at least until we get a booster — we all have to figure out how to live our lives knowing that our vaccines are imperfect at keeping us from getting sick, but work very well at keeping us alive and out of the hospital.

That’s very normal for vaccines, experts say, and may remain true even with boosters.

“Where the public got spoiled here was the response to the mRNA vaccines was so strong” that it gave people protection against infection, “which was a welcome bonus,” said Cornell virologist John Moore. “That was unexpected and very welcome, but it wasn’t normal.”