CORONAVIRUS

WHO: people vaccinated against Covid-19 should still wear masks

Brian Horne receives the first of two injections with a dose of the Pfizer/BioNtech Covid-19 vaccine in England. Photo: Steve Parsons/dpa.

A vaccine might not prevent the spread of the virus, only the breakout of Covid-19.

People who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 should still wear a face mask and keep their distance from others, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday.

While there is scientific evidence that a vaccine helps against developing the lung disease Covid-19, it is not clear whether it generally prevents infection with the novel coronavirus which can cause Covid-19, WHO experts said.

This means a vaccine might not prevent the spread of the virus, only the breakout of Covid-19.

Vaccinated people should therefore continue keeping an appropriate social distance, wearing a face mask and frequently washing their hands, according to the WHO.

More scientific research on the vaccine needs to be conducted, said WHO vaccine expert Kate O'Brien.