A US Nurse Contracted COVID-19 After Receiving Pfizer Vaccine But It Isn’t Abnormal

I know what you’re thinking.

Nurse gets vaccinated. Shortly after, nurse gets Covid-19.

Isn’t the Covid-19 vaccine supposed to protect you from the coronavirus?!

Well, don’t panic yet because according to a US expert, it’s actually normal.

Here’s what you need to know.

What Happened

On 18 Dec 2020, Matthew W, a nurse at two different hospitals, received the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine. His arm was sore for the day but he experienced no other side effects.

Six days later, on Christmas eve, he became sick after working in the Covid-19 unit.

He was down with the chills and experienced aching muscles and fatigue.

He tested positive for the coronavirus on 26 Dec 2020.

Doctor: It’s Not Abnormal

According to Dr Christian Ramers, infectious diseases specialist with the Family Health Centres of San Diego, it’s not unimaginable that such an incident will happen.

According to him, vaccine trials showed that it takes 10 to 14 days for protection against Covid-19 to be developed.

The first dose only gives you “around 50%” while the second dose brings it up to 95%, he added.

The Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine requires two doses to be administered.

NCID: First Batch of People Who Receive COVID-19 in S’pore Reported No Side Effects

Meanwhile, in Singapore, the first batch of healthcare workers have already been administered with the vaccine.

According to the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID), the first 40 healthcare workers has received the vaccination safely and reported no significant side effects so far.

Two healthcare workers who were part of the first batch reported no side effects from the vaccination.

Instead, it was pointed out that the vaccination was “less painful” compared to other influenza vaccines.

Typical side effects of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine include fever, fatigue, headaches and soreness in the arm.

Experts said that these side effects will typically disappear within hours or days.

Nonetheless, the first batch will continue to be monitored and report any side effects and symptoms to the authorities.

They will take their second dose on 21 Jan 2021.

More healthcare workers will receive free vaccinations in the coming weeks.

After that, from Feb 2021, elderly persons above 70 years old will get the vaccines.

This will be followed by other Singaporeans and long-term residents who are medically eligible.

People with a history of anaphylaxis (severe allergic reactions), as well as pregnant ladies, people with immuno-compromised conditions and individuals below 16 years old, are advised not to get the vaccination yet.

You can read more about the update on Covid-19 vaccination in Singapore here.

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