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Soldier who contracted COVID-19 had already received one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and we know that offers some level of protection – Dr Fong

Soldier who contracted COVID-19 had already received one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and we know that offers some level of protection – Dr Fong

By Iva Danford
18/04/2021
Permanent Secretary for Health Dr James Fong and Head of Health Protection at the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Doctor Alisha Sahukhan

The Permanent Secretary for Health Dr James Fong says the soldier who contracted COVID-19 at a quarantine facility in Nadi had already received one dose of his COVID-19 vaccine and they know that offers some level of protection.

Dr Fong says this soldier got his first dose more than 14 days ago and he did not even know that he had contracted the virus.

Dr Fong says there is still some chance that people can get mild symptoms after the vaccine.

He says they cannot say with certainty whether or not this has limited his transmission of the virus to others even though global data does suggest that viral transmission is reduced even after one dose.

Meanwhile the Head of Health Protection at the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Doctor Alisha Sahukhan says from the latest COVID-19 case, they can see that one dose of the vaccine can protect you from getting the severe form of the COVID-19.

Dr Sahukhan says this soldier did not have any symptoms.

She says to get maximum protection from the vaccine, people need to get their second dose.


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