Colin Powell dies of COVID-19 complications despite vaccine: Medical experts weigh in

Gen. Colin Powell, former secretary of state, died Monday at 84 years of age from COVID-related complications, even though he was fully vaccinated, his family announced. 

His death, medical experts say, underscores the need for COVID-19 vaccine booster shotsamong older adults and high-risk populations to shore up protection.

Powell was afflicted with other diseases, including Parkinson’s and the blood cancer multiple myeloma, which could hamper recovery from COVID-19 infection, according to reports. His family didn't specify when Powell received vaccine, or whether he had taken a booster shot.

Also, studies have shown that certain patients with weak immune systems don’t always elicit substantial levels of COVID-19 vaccine-induced antibodies, and regulators in August authorized a third dose of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for certain vulnerable patients, like solid organ transplant recipients, patients taking treatment for blood cancers or tumors, among other patients with conditions considered to have a similar level of immunocompromise, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).