An Alaska woman says she tested positive for COVID-19 after being completely vaccinated and after getting the virus before getting the sting.
Kim Akers of Palmer said he was surprised to become infected with a symptomatic case of COVID-19 for the second time, just weeks after receiving Johnson & Johnson’s shot in early March, the Anchorage Daily reported. News.
“Just because you’ve had Covid or been completely vaccinated doesn’t mean you can’t test positive,” he wrote on Facebook.
Akers first fell ill with the virus in December, when he began experiencing unusually intense headaches and cold symptoms, the outlet reported.
Despite her recent infection, Akers said she wanted to be as safe as possible and receive the vaccine as she has an underlying health status.
Experts say vaccines offer more protection than natural immunity and it is also unclear how long the antibodies against the infection last.
Akers received the single-dose jab from Johnson & Johnson on March 5, but later that month he went to Lake Louise for the weekend with family and friends.
It was there that he experienced fatigue, nausea, and chest congestion.
“I still didn’t think anything was wrong,” Akers told the newspaper. “I told my family I wanted to go home. “Don’t worry, it’s not COVID.” I said that. “
But when he returned home, other symptoms appeared.
“I didn’t believe it at that moment until I got home, I thought about my symptoms and I realized that the headache is what I remember,” he said. “Then I lost my taste and smell.”
His results returned on March 29 which tested positive for the virus, Akers said.
He said he has now recovered mainly after three exhausting days with a constant headache.
Now, Akers said, he shares his story to warn others that they are still at risk, even if they have been vaccinated and contracted the virus.
“It would be great for you to be completely protected,” he said, adding that vaccination is meant to “keep you out of the hospital and prevent death and hopefully lessen your symptoms.”
Experts have warned that cases called “advances” are possible but rare, as all three vaccines on the market are highly effective. However, they do not guarantee 100% protection.
The Post reported that a New Jersey man was hospitalized with the virus and a Brooklyn woman tested positive after everyone received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.