The president of Argentina has announced that he has tested positive for COVID-19 despite being vaccinated. CNN reports that he said he'd take the COVID-19 vaccine first, as a role model for the rest of Argentina. A little over two months after receiving the Russian-made Sputnik V, Argentinian President Alberto Fernández has tested positive for the coronavirus.
In a series of tweets, the Argentinian president said a fever and slight headache had prompted him to get tested. "I'm already isolated, complying with the current protocol and following the instructions of my personal doctor," he said. "I have contacted the people I met in the last 48 hours to assess whether they constitute close contact." The 62-year-old leader's health remains "stable, asymptomatic, with parameters within normal ranges," they said.
CNN reports that Argentina became the first Latin American country to distribute the Sputnik V vaccine in late December, with the purchase of up to 25m doses. Fernández received his first dose of that vaccine on 21 January, and his second in February.
CNN reports that it is possible to get infected and test positive for COVID-19 after being vaccinated. While vaccination reduces the likelihood of disease – especially severe case – it's still unclear to what degree each coronavirus vaccine prevents all infections.
The report says Russia's Gamaleya Institute, which developed the Sputnik V vaccine, has wished Fernández well and emphasised the shot's high protection against severe illness.