Even after vaccination against Coronavirus, cases of infection are increasing rapidly. This is the reason why questions are being raised among people regarding vaccination.
a person getting the vaccine
The rapid spread of new variants of Coronavirus among people is raising many questions about the level of protection even after vaccination. Due to the delta variant in different countries of the world, new cases are increasing rapidly. Apart from this, variants like alpha, beta and lambda have also emerged, which have infected a large number of people. Vaccines are also being put in place to keep people safe. But still some people are falling prey to the virus.
This is the reason why all kinds of questions are being raised regarding vaccination. One such question is: Will the changing nature of the SARS-CoV-2 virus break the protection provided by the vaccine? William Petrie, a microbiologist and infectious diseases specialist at the University of Virginia, has answered the most frequently asked questions about the vaccine. Apart from this, he has also explained them in six points.
1. What is a Vaccine Booster?
A vaccine booster is an additional dose vaccine, intended to maintain immunity protection against a virus. This process is normal as over time our immunity can weaken quite naturally. For example, the flu shot every year and the vaccine against diphtheria and tetanus should be repeated every ten years. The vaccine administered during a booster is often the same as the first. But this is not necessary: when the target virus begins to evolve rapidly, its vaccine must be modified regularly to adapt.
2. Do we need a reminder for Covid now?
In the US in early July, after several months of an intense vaccination campaign, no health authorities (the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Procedures) appear to be interested. In Israel, officials are encouraging people over the age of 60 to take a third dose. In France, this kind of discussion is going on about the most vulnerable groups who were previously vaccinated.
3. Why is the revaccine not recommended yet?
Even if the benefit of a vaccine is not 100%, but in the case of COVID-19, when the effect of the vaccine will fade, it is not yet known. This is especially because all currently approved vaccines against COVID-19 produce good immunity. Other studies also suggest that these vaccines, even if they do not necessarily prevent infection. But provide some protection against them, including protection against emerging variants of the coronavirus.
4. How do I know if a revaccination is necessary?
An indication of the need for a booster will be a growing epidemic among those who are vaccinated. For now, vaccines are largely effective. But the exact level of personal immunity they provide is still being evaluated. To assess this immunity, researchers are focusing on certain antibodies induced by vaccines: those that recognize the spike proteins that allow the coronavirus to enter cells, and those that will be of prime importance.
In support of this idea, one study suggests that mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna), which appear to be most effective, generate higher levels of antibodies in the blood than adenovirus vaccines (Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca). A preliminary study also suggests that post-injection of the AstraZeneca vaccine, pre-COVID-19 patients will have lower levels of anti-spike antibodies. Of course, medical staff would already like to continue to conduct blood tests of their patients that can reliably measure their level of protection against COVID-19. This will reveal the need for re-vaccination.
5. Does having a weak immunity increase the need for a booster?
Those with weak immunity may really need a booster. One study showed that 39 out of 40 kidney transplant patients and a third of dialysis patients did not produce detectable antibody production after vaccination. This does not mean that there is no benefit from vaccination to those who are immunized. At least one study suggests that a booster can have a positive effect: vaccination with Pfizer or Moderna in a third of transplant patients, if the first two doses failed to detect antibodies, followed by an immune response in the third. appeared.
6. Do I need the same vaccine as the first injection for a booster?
Its not very likely. It has also been shown that mRNA vaccines (eg from Pfizer and Moderna) can also be combined with adenovirus vaccines (eg AstraZeneca) without loss of efficacy.
Also read: Covid: Delta variants wreak havoc in 18 provinces of China, planes and trains are not being given entry in Beijing
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