Italian doctor confirms Corona 19 after first dose of Pfizer vaccine

Health authorities, epidemiological investigation to determine the time of infection
Vaccine, principle of vaccination twice every 3 weeks

[아시아경제 김봉주 기자] An Italian doctor was confirmed six days after vaccination against Pfizer’s novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19).

On the 3rd (local time), local media such as Mesazero reported that Antonella Franco, a doctor who works at the Umberto I Hospital in Syracuse, Sicily, was tested positive for Corona 19 on the 2nd.

The doctor received the first dose of the Pfizer-Bioentech vaccine on the 28th of last month in Palermo, the capital of Sicily.

Health authorities are conducting a close epidemiological investigation to determine when he was infected.

As he traveled from Syracuse to Palermo, he took the bus with the medical staff, so there is a possibility that there will be additional infections among the medical staff.

However, the health authorities explained that even if they were infected after vaccination, the vaccine efficacy would not be questionable. The Pfizer-Bioentech vaccine has revealed that 95% or more of the preventive effect can be obtained only if the vaccine is given twice every three weeks.

The doctor said he would not give up vaccination.

“I will get the vaccine again,” he said. “I will remind you that the vaccine is the only chance to win the battle against the virus.”

Meanwhile, Italy, like other European Union (EU) member states, started vaccinating Pfizer-Bioentech centering on healthcare workers from the 27th of last month, and about 100,000 people have received vaccinations by the 3rd.

Reporter Kim Bong-ju [email protected]