California Nurse Gets COVID-19 Vaccine But Tests Positive A Week Later, Specialist Explains

People have been given a ray of hope with the availability of multiple COVID-19 vaccines. However, medical experts warn that people should not let their guard down and continue to follow health protocols even after they are vaccinated.

The vaccine is not an instant solution to safeguard anyone from the coronavirus. Dr. Christian Ramers, an infectious disease specialist with Family Health Centers of San Diego, explained that the vaccine would need 10 to 14 days before one can start developing protection from the virus, KGTV reported.

“We know from the vaccine clinical trials that it’s going to take about 10 to 14 days for you to start to develop protection from the vaccine,” Ramers said. “That first dose we think gives you somewhere around 50%, and you need that second dose to get up to 95 percent.”

This comes not long after reports came out that a nurse from California got vaccinated but tested positive for COVID-19 roughly eight days later.

The nurse, identified as Matthew W., took the COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 18. He experienced arm soreness at first and then felt sick after working his shift in the COVID-19 unit six days later on Christmas Eve.

Among the symptoms, he experienced include fatigue, chills and body aches. He would get tested at a drive-thru hospital and his results came back positive.

While this may raise concern, Ramers explained that a possible reason for this is that the nurse had already contracted the virus before he was vaccinated. He pointed out that it takes about two weeks for the first dose to take effect.

Finally, Ramers reminded everyone that even if they got the COVID-19 vaccine administered, they should still follow the health protocols. This includes washing hands and wearing face masks at all times.

“You hear health practitioners being very optimistic about it being the beginning of the end, but it’s going to be a slow roll, weeks to months as we roll out the vaccine,” he stated.

The nurse bared that he is feeling better now since his symptoms peaked on Christmas Day. However, he adds that he still feels fatigued.