Male’, Maldives — Health Emergency Operation Center (HEOC) has informed that there are several Maldivian citizens who have tested positive for Covid-19 after vaccination as the vaccine is expected to take some time before it becomes effective.
While answering to a question that rose at the HEOC press conference that was held last night, member of HEOC’s Technical Advisory Group (TAG) Dr. Nazla Musthafa informed that there are several Maldivians who have tested positive for Covid-19 about five days after their vaccination.
It could be that the individual had contacted the virus before the vaccination or they could’ve also caught the disease after they got vaccinated. Dr. Nazla stated.
Dr. Nazla Musthafa, HEOC TAG team
Dr. Nazla stated that administering the first dose of vaccine does not ensure complete safety from the virus and that even after the first dose, citizens need to attend to the protective measures to protect themselves against the virus. She informed that the vaccine will take time to start being effective.
According to Dr. Nazla, after two weeks of administering the first vaccination dose, it will reduce the probability of getting infected by 60% and that after two weeks of administering the second dose, it will reduce the probability of getting infected by 70%.
Despite this, Dr. Nazla noted that administering the vaccine will help the citizens fight against the Covid-19 virus if they get infected.
… it is important to get vaccinated, to wear masks and maintain social distancing. It is very important to observe these procedures.
Dr. Nazla Musthafa, HEOC TAG team
She further stated that protection from the Covid-19 virus may not be effective at all after about five days of vaccination. Dr. Nazla stated that it will take at least two weeks (after the first dose) for the vaccine to become 60% effective.
Dr. Nazla noted that they have noticed the citizens being careless in adhering to the guidelines due to vaccination and instructed everyone to avoid being careless about the rules. She reminded that majority of the population has not been administered with the first dose of vaccine yet and that it is important to adhere to the protective measures to avoid getting infected.
The latest statistics revealed by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) states that till date, they have vaccinated 56,218 people with the first dose of Covisheild vaccine. The second dose will be administered eight weeks after the first dose.
