With companies looking to develop booster shots that target these variables, some have asked – should I wait before getting the vaccine if there would be an even better one later? Or does the coming of the variables mean that it is even more urgent to get the vaccine now?
We spoke to CNN Medical Analyst Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and visiting professor at George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health, for guidance on how to think about vaccines amidst these new variables.
Dr. Leana Wen: The SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid-19 is an RNA virus. These viruses are known to transmit mutations as they spread. There are layers that have specific mutations that are of concern. The variant first identified in the United Kingdom, B.1.1.7, is believed to be more contagious than the conventional series. If a variable is more contagious, it can quickly become mainstream and out-populate. Countries with the B.1.1.7 variant have seen a rapid increase in Covid-19 infections.
Two other potentially worrying variants are those first identified in South Africa and Brazil, named B.1.351 and P.1, respectively. Both of these can be more contagious as well. In addition, some studies have found that these changes could make relapse easier – meaning that if someone had previously had another strain of Covid-19, they could still be infected with these rays. Also, the changes in the variables may make them less susceptible to the vaccines that have been developed – although it is important to note that the standard vaccines still work against them, although perhaps a little less effective.
CNN: Isn’t that relative? What happens if vaccines don’t work against new changes?
Wen: This is definitely something that needs to be explored and pursued. Research is now being carried out on the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to ensure that they remain effective against the emerging changes. The companies have also said that they are looking into promotion images that focus specifically on the variables.
Maybe it ends with the need for elevated views. Or the Covid-19 vaccine may be like a flu shot, where we need to get a vaccine that targets new changes that may emerge over time.
CNN: Then shouldn’t we wait for an increase and just get that view?
Wen: No, which is why. First, we don’t know when those escalation scenes might come out. It may take months, and the blows may need to increase until you have completed the vaccination cycle. If you have the chance to be vaccinated now, you should do so to protect yourself. Remember that our vaccines are still effective against variables.
Second, we may need to keep up with new mutations. These RNA viruses go around a lot. The more they reproduce, the more they circulate. This means that the more infectious a community is, the more the virus circulating in that community receives mutations, and new changes may occur. The vaccines may need to be constantly evolving to keep up with the variables, which means, again, we may need to get consistent elevation views.
Third, because changes occur when community dispersal is high, it is very important to try to reduce the rate of dispersal. Vaccination is a key part of our plan to get there, such as shelter, physical speed, avoiding crowded gatherings and other public health measures. The changes coming in should mean that we are ramping up even more vaccines – and that everyone who is eligible for and able to get vaccinated should get.
CNN: What about the new vaccines being developed – could they be more effective against the variables?
Wen: We don’t know. That is why it is difficult to compare the effectiveness of face-to-face vaccines. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been developed and tested before these worrying changes take over. Johnson & Johnson and Novavax were subsequently tested, including in some sites with these changes already circulating.
We may find more research over time about the specific effectiveness of vaccines against all variables, although I want to point out our attention to why vaccine testing is important: the real risk of serious illness and hospitalization. That is what ultimately makes Covid-19 a serious disease. If the vaccines can reduce serious illness to the point that they are preventing people receiving the vaccine from being as ill as they are in hospital, that is what we want.
CNN: What if I already have coronavirus – should I still be vaccinated? Does it matter what weight I gained when I had the disease?
Wen: There is. Referring now that it is likely that relapse may occur with the variables, it is even more important for those who have already acquired coronavirus as well.
CNN: With more types of infections coming in, are there more steps we should take in addition to getting vaccinated when we can?
Wen: The good news about the emerging rays is that they are still transmitted in the same way, through the respiratory tract, especially through close contact and also through aerosol diffusion. (While it is possible to make a surface transfer, it may take less than these other methods.) That means the steps you have taken are the same. to prevent Covid-19 still applies to the new variables.
Here’s the concern. The standard rays of Covid-19 are already highly contagious, but the new rays are even more infectious. That means the actions we thought were low risk are now more dangerous. We need to take even more steps to protect ourselves.
The N95 or KN95 may be helpful if you are going to be in very close places where you cannot physically do speed, although these masks are scarce and can be uncomfortable. on you for a long time. You should take even more care so that you are not in-house with other people, and if necessary, to maintain physical speed and try to be in only well-ventilated areas.
The advent of more contagious differences means we need to duplicate the public health measures we know to be effective in reducing Covid-19 transmission. The race for vaccination is also important. Our best tool to delay the development of more changes is to slow down the spread of the virus. So if you please, we will have the vaccine when it comes to us, and keep us safe – for you and those around you.