Fully Vaccinated Nurse Dies From Covid-19, Sinovac Called Into Question

Fully vaccinated nurse passes away from Covid-19

While the vaccination is designed to protect us from Covid-19, or at least its more severe symptoms, there are unfortunate instances where our bodies are unable to combat the disease.

A recent example being a fully vaccinated nurse who regrettably passed away after contracting Covid-19.

Below are the details surrounding the unfortunate situation.

Recent Covid-19 news:

Vaccinated nurse passes away one week after contracting Covid-19

A 30-year-old nurse, nicknamed “Donut”, passed away from Covid-19. She had received two doses of Sinovac. Donut is presumed to have contracted Covid-19 at her workplace, a communal isolation ward, wrote Bangkok Post on 12th July 2021.

Ms. Siwakorn Rattakunakuntee, a cousin of the deceased, stated that the nurse died just one week after contracting the virus. She further adds that Donut would’ve had a better chance at survival if she had been inoculated with a more effective vaccine.

Two doses of AstraZeneca or Sinovac is said to be 90% effective at preventing death and severe Covid-19 symptoms, according to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).

A study from Chulalongkorn University showed that Sinovac has an efficacy rate of 50%.

Frontline workers’ safety and vaccines’ efficacy questioned

Donut’s passing has placed the safety of healthcare workers, and the efficacy rate of Sinovac into question.

Hundreds of healthcare workers who have been fully vaccinated with Sinovac have contracted Covid-19, reported The Thaiger.

Chief of Chulalongkorn University’s Centre for Emerging Infections Diseases, Dr. Thiravat Hemachudha, asserted that healthcare workers are in urgent need of a booster shot.

Dr. Hemachudha further elborated that Sinovac is most effective 30 days after the second dose, and that the vaccine’s efficacy against Covid-19 drops by 30-40% after that.

Thailand’s vaccination programme

Thailand mass inoculation programme, which started last month, uses Sinovac and AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccines. Since then, the government has announced the arrival of alternative vaccines, including: Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson.

Yesterday, the Minister of Public Health announced a change in the country’s vaccination programme. Instead of receiving two doses of the same vaccine, Thai residents will receive one dose of Sinovac followed by a shot of AstraZeneca.

Furthermore, healthcare workers are expected receive a third AstraZeneca “booster” shot this month.

Support our healthcare workers

Our healthcare workers have been fighting a difficult battle against Covid-19 for over a year. Our hearts go out to them, and their loved ones who have also been deeply affected by their continued efforts in keeping us healthy during the pandemic.

The best way we can support them is to do our part in lowering infection rates. This means maintaining social distancing, washing our hands regularly, wearing a mask and abiding by safety regulations.

Cover images adapted from: Reuters via The Japan Times

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