MUMBAI: Eight healthcare workers have tested positive for COVID-19 in the city after being administered both doses of the vaccine. All of them appear to have mild symptoms; however, some have been hospitalized.

According to experts, such cases are not unexpected and emphasize that the prevention measures should not be abandoned after vaccination.

Three of these healthcare workers are being treated at SevenHills Hospital in Andheri (East). One of them, an intensivist, was given the first dose of Covishield vaccine on January 20 and received the second dose on February 24. Ten days later, he developed symptoms and tested positive for COVID-19. He mentioned that this was the first time he had tested positive despite working in the ICU for the past year. He cautioned that even after getting vaccinated, people must wear masks and practice distancing. The doctor has mild symptoms.

KEM Hospital in Parel noted a single case of infection after complete vaccination with Covishield. Dr Gajanan Velhal, head of community medicine, stated that the faculty member tested positive a week after the second dose was given. He stated that the individual has mild disease and is being treated at home.

At SevenHills Hospital, none of the three infected individuals are serious. Dr Maharudra Kumbhar, officer on special duty in SevenHills stated that there are three cases after second dose of vaccine and about a dozen infected individuals after the first dose and most of them have a mild disease. He added that none of the vaccines have a 100% efficacy and some of the people are bound to get the infection after taking vaccines.

In the case of both Covishield and Covaxin, complete immunity develops at least 14 days after taking both the doses.

Dr Gautam Bhansali from Bombay Hospital has noted three cases where healthcare workers tested positive who got the infection five to seven days after vaccination. All were mild cases and treated at home.

According to the intensivist from Seven Hills Hospital, a mutation in the circulating strain might be the cause behind the infection.

In Maharashtra, two health department officials from Jalna have tested positive after the second vaccine dose. A 48-year-old doctor from Jabalpur in MP has also tested positive. Infectious disease expert Dr Om Srivastava suggested that an analysis should be done if more such cases are detected following vaccination.

Source: ET Healthworld