“Many people who are fully vaccinated do not realize that they can have the coronavirus and are contagious,” Wertheim said.
The doctor-microbiologist calls this ‘a potential silent engine of outbreaks’, because vaccinated people in this way unknowingly contract and pass on the coronavirus. This confirms the medical microbiologist reporting in the Volkskrant.
Also testing after vaccination?
According to Wertheim, awareness among vaccinees is therefore important and more attention should be paid to this possible risk.
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This can be done, among other things, by including vaccinated people in Testing for Access, says Wertheim. Or by ensuring that vaccinees who have complaints are tested.
34 hospital employees infected
The fact that the virus can also spread among vaccinated persons is shown, among other things, by data from tested employees of the Radboud UMC.
At least 34 fully vaccinated employees have become infected, especially in the private sphere, including Wertheim himself. “This is in a hospital. If we see it here, it can only be bigger in society.” None of the tested employees has caused an infection in the hospital.
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Vaccinate quickly
According to Wertheim, it is now mainly about making people aware that vaccinated people can still contract and spread the coronavirus. Vaccines do help to prevent people from getting very sick.
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It is therefore important to ensure that everyone is vaccinated quickly, says Wertheim. This is especially true for the vulnerable who have not yet been vaccinated. “Imagine that a person who has been vaccinated with the corona virus comes to a party in a neighborhood where the vaccination rate is low. If such a person passes on the virus, many vulnerable people in a neighborhood can become very ill.”
OMT advice
The experts of the Outbreak Management Team asked the cabinet yesterday to consider asking fully vaccinated people for a negative corona test at major events and busy clubs. A ‘green’ QR code that gives someone access to an event or the plane will now not be revoked if someone is fully vaccinated, but has tested positive.
Because infected people then still have access to events where, for example, no 1.5 meters are kept, they can spread the virus despite their vaccination. In some cases, it would be good to ask for a negative test from all visitors, according to the OMT.
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