In response to media enquiries on a confirmed case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who has received two doses of COVID-19 vaccination, a spokesperson for the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health responded today (April 17) as follows:
 
     The 63-year-old male patient (Case 11645) received Sinovac vaccines in the Community Vaccination Centre at Yau Oi Sports Centre in Tuen Mun on March 10 and April 7. The specimen of the patient collected on April 14, i.e. seven days later, was tested positive for COVID-19. Relevant epidemiological investigations by the CHP are on-going.
 
     Based on the information of the drug company, it takes time after Sinovac vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and offer protection against COVID-19. Individuals may not be protected effectively until 14 days after their second dose of vaccine.
 
     The spokesperson for the CHP emphasised that there is a need for members of the public to continue non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) after vaccination, including social distancing, good hand hygiene and wearing a mask in public, to reduce the risk of virus transmission. At this time, the combination of continuing NPIs and adding vaccination will provide the most protection against the virus.

Ends/Saturday, April 17, 2021
Issued at HKT 23:27

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