Testing positive for COVID-19 despite taking the vaccine? Everything you need to know!
Despite having received both the doses of the vaccine, many contracted Covid-19. But, still encourage people to get jab; Here’s why.
The diagnosis of Coronavirus, even after taking a jab of the vaccine has flagged concerns across the nation. India is all set to undergo its third phase of vaccination, however, the deadly virus has resurged amongst vaccinated individuals.
Dr RK Dhiman, Director of Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS), and his wife were reportedly tested positive, despite having received both doses of the vaccine. Although, Dr Dhiman encouraged people to take the jab as he informed that the vaccines were very effective in preventing hospitalisation as well as deaths and even reinfected, the symptoms were mild.
Similarly, reports suggest, numerous doctors have vouched for the vaccine saying that it prevents critical illness from Covid-19.
Can you contract the virus after vaccination?
A very small number of Americans have been infected with the coronavirus, after getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Being termed as the “breakthrough cases,” and it has raised the question like – What are the chances of a person contracting Covid-19 after getting vaccinated?
“You will see breakthrough infections in any vaccination when you’re vaccinating literally tens and tens and tens of millions of people. So in some respects, that’s not surprising,” Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said at a March 26 White House COVID-19 briefing.
Studies suggest that very low – probably just a fraction of a percentage point – can get the virus after the vaccination. Still, a few breakthrough cases are inevitable, even with highly effective vaccines.
What causes the ‘Reinfection’?
Reinfection or also known as the “breakthrough cases” occurs due to multiple reasons, however, the prime reasons being – imperfect administration of the vaccine. If the vaccine is mishandled, it could cause a breakthrough case. Lack of setting the vials in a required temperature or administration in the wrong part of the arm – could lead to reinfection.
A weak immune response in a person could be another factor. The weak immunity could be due to prolonged medication, medical treatment or genetic differences.
Age is yet another factor that is also thought to weaken the immune response. Clinical trials for the COVID-19 vaccines show high efficacy rates in older adults.
How long will the Immunity of Vaccine last?
Vaccinating the masses by a few set of skilled-experienced hands can take longer, as more vaccines are still being rolled out. But, research for the period of its immunity is still being studied. Considering the factors through which breakthrough cases occur, despite the vaccination. If distribution takes longer, the virus is likely to mutate to the point where the vaccines are no longer effective. Will it be effective then?
According to Beth Moore, Professor of Microbiology and Immunity at Michigan Medicine, “all viruses mutate” is the last point. “The good news is the vaccine is still effective because the mutations haven’t changed the basic structure of the spike protein so much that the neutralizing antibodies are not effective,” Moore said, quoted by Michigan Health.
Experts are monitoring the new variants that have emerged in the last year to see if eventually, the vaccines will need to be modified.
Will there be infection after the second dose of the vaccination?
Numerous medical staff workers were infected After the Second Dose of Vaccine tested COVID positive after their second jab of the vaccine. Despite being administered both doses of Corona, Varanasi CMO was also tested positive for Covid-19.
Notably, all the cases of reinfection were said to have been suffering from mild symptoms to this Dr PK Gupta, former president, IMA was of the opinion that there is a possibility of people testing positive for Covid despite taking the vaccine, but the intensity of the virus would be less, reported News18.
AIIMS director Dr Randeep Guleria encouraged the people to take the Covid-19 vaccine jab as he admitted that one may still get the infection after the vaccination, but he or she will be asymptomatic or it will be a mild illness.
He also said that the immunity from the current vaccines may last for 9-12 months.
Dr VK Paul, a core member of the central government’s Covid-19 response team, reportedly advised people to wear masks for a “long time” despite the vaccine in order to protect themselves.
