Returning OFW from UAE tests positive for COVID-19 despite vaccination

CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines — A returning overseas Filipino worker (OFW) from the United Arab Emirates who had been vaccinated with Sinopharm tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in Mandaue City, Cebu.

According to Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, spokesperson of the Department of Health Central Visayas, the male OFW was vaccinated with two doses of Sinopharm on Dece. 12, 2020, and on Jan.  2, 2021.

He arrived in Cebu last Jan. 5 and completed the quarantine period on Jan.  20.

A few weeks later, on Feb. 8, he was again swabbed and the results the next day showed he was positive for COVID-19.

“Five out of seven household members were positive for COVID-19 (also). They are all currently isolated,” Loreche said.

She explained there were several possibilities as to why the returning OFW still got infected with COVID-19 even after completing the two doses of Sinopharm.

“If you notice, there are no solid scientific studies yet as to the length of immunity that a vaccine can give,” she said. “It’s highly probable that the immunity that the vaccine has given as a protection has not kicked off yet. There is also a possibility that it’s a different variant of COVID-19.”

[atm]