Bloomington, Indiana – Despite being fully vaccinated for months, Indiana University President Pamela Whitten tested positive for Covid-19, she announced on Thursday.
According to the announcement, the felt the first symptoms on Thursday and she immediately isolated herself. She decided to make a test and she ended up positive later that day. In the letter to the IU community, she said she feels well only experiencing mild cold symptoms.
Whitten said she will continue her daily duties from her home officer during the isolation.
“While the vaccine is not 100% effective, I am so grateful to be protected from more serious symptoms,” she said in the letter. “I encourage everyone to get vaccinated as soon as you can.”
The latest Covid-19 wave that hit the country in the last period has proven in multiple occasion that the vaccines are not 100% efficient and health experts urged everyone to take care of themselves during these uncertain times.
The chair of the IU Board of Trustees Mike Mirro, MD, said in a statement that the IU board is grateful for Whitten’s “transparent and forthright leadership.”
“We are also encouraged that the vaccine she received is doing what it should, preventing a more serious illness,” Mirro said. “We look forward to seeing her back on campus soon.”
