Colin Powell, 84, died Monday morning due to complications from Covid-19 even though he was fully vaccinated, his family said in a statement.

The former secretary of State’s death has led some to ask why they should bother getting vaccinated when there is still a chance they could get severely ill or die.

Health experts say it’s important to note that no vaccine is 100% effective. In addition, Powell was elderly, a known risk for severe Covid, and suffered from multiple myeloma, a blood cancer that studies show can make the shots less effective.

“The goal of the vaccine is to dramatically reduce your chance of suffering or being hospitalized or dying but it doesn’t eliminate it,” said Dr. Paul Offit, who advises the Food and Drug Administration on Covid vaccines.

In Powell’s case, he was over 80 and had a cancer that put him at higher risk for severe Covid, Offit said.