Health experts are now looking into the case of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who still tested positive for COVID-19 weeks after he was vaccinated.
Health authorities are looking for answers after a returning OFW contracted COVID-19 despite already getting vaccinated with the required two doses in UAE.
Is it still possible to contract the COVID-19 virus even after getting vaccinated?
Health experts are now looking into the case of a returning overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who reportedly tested positive for the virus even after being vaccinated abroad.
The OFW, who arrived in Cebu City last January 5, had been vaccinated with two doses of Sinopharm vaccine while at the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on December 12, 2020 and January 2, 2021.
Upon returning to Mandaue City, Cebu, he was tested and found negative of the virus while undergoing the mandatory two-week quarantine.
On February 8, however, tests showed he was positive for COVID-19 along with five of the seven members of his household.
While the case has raised concern among locals as to whether vaccines are really effective against COVID-19, health officials said it was still “too early” to determine the efficacy of the vaccines.
“If you notice, there are no solid scientific studies yet as to the length of immunity that a vaccine can give,” Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, spokesperson of the Department of Health Central Visayas, said to media.
“It’s highly probable that the immunity that the vaccine has given as a protection has not kicked off yet. There is also a possibility that it’s a different variant of COVID-19.”
(JV)