Seychelles, the world’s most vaccinated nation, reimposes lockdown measures to stem a recent surge
A rise in COVID-19 infections in the East African country of Seychelles, considered as the world’s most vaccinated nation, has led authorities to reimpose lockdown measures, such as closing schools and sports events, to stem the recent surge.
The health ministry of the small island nation in the Indian Ocean reported that active cases grew to 1,068 on May 3 from 612 on April 28.
Authorities have not pointed to possible reasons behind the increase in infections, but reminded residents to maintain observance of health protocols and minimum public precautions.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has said in a Reuters report that it is now reviewing data from Seychelles.
According to a Reuters report, the majority of those who tested positive had not been vaccinated or had only received one dose, and that no one who died from COVID-19 had been fully vaccinated, and that those needing critical care were unvaccinated.
However, a third of those who tested positive were reported to have been fully vaccinated.
The WHO said that 57% of those who have been fully vaccinated received the Sinopharm vaccine from China, while 43% got the British-Swedish brand AstraZeneca.
A Phase III trial of Sinopharm resulted in an efficacy of 79% two weeks after the second dose against symptomatic infection, while AstraZeneca announced a 76% efficacy rate.
President Rodrigo Duterte received the first dose of the Sinopharm vaccine on May 3, Monday, upon the reported advice of his doctor, but he apologized days after as the Food and Drug Administration has not issued an emergency use authorization for the brand.
The WHO has approved the Sinopharm vaccine for emergency use on May 7.