The Seychelles is 60% vaccinated, but still infections are rising. That's not as bad as it sounds

CNN

By Julia Hollingsworth, CNN
A man outside Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple in Seychelles' capital Victoria on April 3, 2021. Via CNN

One of the most vaccinated countries in the world is experiencing a Covid-19 outbreak.

While other nations struggle to secure enough vaccines, the Seychelles is in the enviable position of having already fully immunized more than 61.4% of the population.

But that hasn't been enough to stop the spread of Covid.

Over the past month, case numbers have been rising in the Indian Ocean archipelago, prompting authorities to impose restrictions in the country of 98,000 people. Data released Thursday shows there are more than 2,700 active cases.

Of the current active cases, 33% have been fully vaccinated, according to the Ministry of Health.

On face value, the fact the Seychelles, with such high vaccination coverage, is still facing an outbreak calls into question whether countries can inoculate themselves out of the pandemic.

Experts and local officials, however, say the Seychelles outbreak isn't a sign the vaccines aren't working.

Either way, the tropical nation is a reminder that even countries with high levels of vaccination can't drop their guard.

Publish : 2021-05-15 13:27:00

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