A councillor who has had both doses of the coronavirus vaccine has shared a warning about how it is still possible to catch covid-19.
North Portslade councillor Peter Atkinson spoke out about the danger after what he thought was a cold turned out to be covid.
As a nurse, the independent councillor had his second vaccine in March but said that he had still gone down with the virus.
He was also concerned that people might ignore the symptoms which may not be the classic persistent cough, high temperature and loss of taste but were more those of a common cold.
Councillor Atkinson said: “There are two serious issues here. People may just ignore the symptoms if they just think it’s a cold and not take a lateral flow test or get a full PCR test.
“This means that they could be carrying the virus and pass it on to older vulnerable people or those that have serious medical problems without realising it.”
He was also upset that people were no longer wearing masks on buses and in crowded areas, adding: “I know it’s no longer compulsory but, with the possibility of doubly vaccinated people now catching the virus, it’s vital that we show some common sense in crowded areas.”
Councillor Atkinson is fairly certain that he caught the virus at the Amex stadium when Brighton and Hove Albion played Watford on Saturday 21 August.
He said that the timing of his symptoms and the positive test strongly pointed to that, adding: “At half time while queuing for a cup of tea, I would estimate that only about 10 per cent of fans were wearing masks.
“It’s a football game and everyone is shouting or talking loudly. Any sort of distance between people is impossible.
“There were signs asking people to wear masks but no one was really taking any notice. And then on the coach on the way home the same pattern continued.”
Councillor Atkinson wants the government to update its advice on symptoms and to warn vaccinated people that they could catch covid – and he also wants stronger messaging on the wearing of masks.
He said: “If we don’t get on top of this very quickly, we’ll be looking at another lockdown this winter.”
Which jab did he get? Maybe he got the a wrong jab or/and it wore off or he should’ve got a booster. Scare mongering from the hospital bed , he should be ashamed of himself
Doesn’t matter which vaccine it was.
If he had not been vaccinated it could have been even worse.
That is the point he is getting across and not from any hospital bed either.
Read before you comment please.
What the experimental injections don’t work….never mind stick out your arm for another…
The fear is that the autumn will see a rise in cases as the delta variant nips inm and the situation is worsened by those who refuse to be vaccinated. They have a death wish.
Wait till winter and you will know how “well” vaccine work.
Mind you the death rate summer later year is low too WITHOUT the vaccine.
Get well soon councillor. Vaccines can blunt the impact: no more; and I for one still use a mask. Its no big deal to do so.
“Vaccines can blunt the impact no more” not dying is more than blunting the impact.
Masks can not be worn for the rest of the foreseeable future. Life must carry on as normal.