From the right: Chen Sha’ar, Shlomi Stern and Victoria Donayevsky
At the height of the corona vaccination campaign, when more than 2 million Israelis had already received the first dose and some also the second – young people who had not been infected for almost a whole year were found to be positive for the virus. Some of those vaccinated in the first dose became ill before receiving the second dose.
“I was disappointed that the first course did not protect me.” Shlomi Stern
Shlomi Stern (23) from Jerusalem received the first dose of the vaccine about two weeks ago, but discovered a week later that he was positive for the virus. “I work as a corona sorter, I was near dozens of patients and I was not infected during this period at all,” he said. “A week after I got the vaccine I started to feel colds, but it did not occur to me that it was corona. To be tested and I received a positive answer. ”
Stern claims he was not surprised that he was positive for the virus, but was disappointed that the first dose of the vaccine did not protect him: “I was told the vaccine does not protect one hundred percent so I was not surprised, but I kept to myself, especially between the first and second vaccine. “It’s a bit disappointing that I just got sick, because I relied on the fact that the first vaccine will protect me in something that is also annoying because I lose a job. Now I feel better. Although the sense of smell has not fully returned, but I’m starting to get back to normal.”
Chen Sha’ar (25) and her husband (29) from Kiryat Ekron are also included in the young age group that failed to escape the virus. Less than two weeks ago they were tested and found positive. “I do not know who we were infected with and who infected who,” Chen said. “I am a supplementary teacher and work in three kindergartens every week, and my husband meets a lot of people at his job. And on Sunday I started to feel unwell. “
“It felt like the flu,” she described, “chills and pain all over my body. I did a corona test and the next day I got a message that I was positive. I put a lot of people in isolation, including three genes, and I felt really bad about it. His whole family. ”
“I’m not at all surprised that we got infected even though we’re young,” Shaar added. “I am a teacher and I am exposed to a lot of children, and every child is exposed to his family. I was even surprised that it did not happen so far – this is my third isolation. “In order to be exposed to so many people getting vaccinated before, many cases of infection could have been avoided. Now I am very weak, but most of the symptoms have passed. My husband still suffers from coughs. I am afraid the symptoms will come back because I hear people say they come back after a few months.”
“At the last minute we snatched it.” Victoria Dunaevsky
Victoria Dunaevsky and her husband, 30, from Modi’in, contracted the virus even though they spend most of their time at home. “We have no idea who we got infected from because we’re terribly careful and not going anywhere,” Victoria said, “it came to us really by surprise. Apparently it was in line at the supermarket because I can not think of another place where it could have happened. For a whole year “
After Duinowski’s husband developed symptoms, including a sore throat, they thought he was infected with something from the children – but did not imagine it was Corona. “We thought it was just a virus or a bacterium and told ourselves we would go get tested for safety,” she added, “we were sure the result would be negative and suddenly we got a positive result. Later I also got infected because I developed symptoms. Only the children, fortunately, were found negative.”
“It’s a problematic situation,” Duinewski continued, “my husband and I had a high fever and we took care of the children. We tried to protect them from infection and wore masks all the time. Now we feel better, but there is still a fear that they will get infected.”
Prof. Galia Rahav
Mariana Chen (32) from Holon was found positive after being infected by her husband – although she said she made sure to stay home and followed the instructions. “My husband had a fever and he did a corona test for extra security,” she said. “The next day he got a positive answer.” Chen also went to be tested, although she did not suffer from symptoms, and received a negative answer. After two days, however, her fever rose, she was tested again – and this time she was found positive.
“For two days I was with high fever, chills and muscle aches. There was a feeling of flu just without runny nose and cough. I was very apprehensive,” she shared, “anyone can get infected and everyone reacts differently. The uncertainty stressed me out.”
Also in this case, Chen was surprised by the brides she became infected with because she made sure to follow the instructions. “Getting infected now it sucks because I kept to myself all year – and in the end I got infected,” she said, “yet I understand that I am developing antibodies and that I will be immune. I was not vaccinated, but I got the real thing.”
Prof. Galia Rahav, director of the Infectious Diseases Unit at Sheba Hospital and a member of the government advisory team, explained in a conversation with Ynet the significance of receiving the second dose of the vaccine.
“The importance is great because we know that only after two weeks do some antibodies start to develop,” she said. “What they tested with the vaccine was its effectiveness in randomized trials. Sometimes, on a daily basis, the results are not the same andWe do not know how much this vaccine prevents infection at all and what is the effect of a single vaccine dose. It is critical to get both doses in order for the vaccine to be effective. ”