A Long Island woman tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday — a month after receiving her second dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine that’s meant to protect against the virus.
Secretary for the Hewlett-Woodmere school district, Melanie Rosen, told PIX-11 she thought that getting the vaccine meant it was safe to resume normal activities without wearing a mask.
She started experiencing symptoms shortly after attending a wake for a friend’s father who had passed away.
“There was probably at least 10 family members there,” Rosen said. “I hung out for about an hour and a half without wearing a mask. I hugged each one.”
Rosen told PIX-11 that a few days after seeing everyone she started experiencing symptoms, including a stuffy nose and body aches, particularly in her legs.
She later learned that three family members who had attended the gathering had tested positive for COVID-19.
“I was shocked,” Rosen said. “I’m [in] the 4.9% that got Moderna and actually got COVID.”
None of the vaccines approved for use currently offer 100% protection from the virus — but health officials continue to stress that vaccinations do help to prevent serious cases, and are a crucial step on the road back to normalcy.
Rosen’s infection is a rare case of a person coming down with the illness following inoculation — something experts say is unlikely, but still possible.
Rosen ultimately fought off a mild bout of COVID-19 — and says she’s thankful she was able to get the vaccine when she did.
“You can still get it; you can probably still spread it,” Rosen said. “I want people to know it’s not over.”
