Rome, November 26, 2021 – No The new Covid variant Discover in South Africa It’s scary, especially because it might escape, at least in part, from the protections guaranteed by vaccines. “Partial avoidance of the immune response is likely, but vaccines are also likely to still provide high levels of protection against hospitalization and death.” , as you read the FAQ page on the new variant B.1.1.529 prepared by the Southern African National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NICD), the public reference institute for infectious diseases. “Currently, no unusual symptoms have been reported after infection with the B.1.1.529 variant, and as with other variants – the institute says – some individuals are asymptomatic.”.

Covid Bulletin November 26: Infections in Italy

Omicron South African variant: When will we know how bad it is

Reconstruction of the center of South Africa

The institute attempts to arrange the elements known so far in varante Omicron. “On November 22, 2021, we discovered a group of related SARS-CoV-2 viruses in South Africa called strain B.1.1.529. This strain B.1.1.529 was detected in Gauteng at a relatively high frequency, with over 70% of the genome sequences (71) from samples collected between 14 and 23 November 2021. “. At the beginning of the week, health authorities in South Africa and the World Health Organization were informed of the existence of the new variant. This new strain contains a large number of mutations, some of which have been observed in other variants, and some of which are new. “At present, the B.1.1.529 strain is relatively distinct from the C.1.2, Beta and Delta variants and has a different evolutionary path” , as you say.

Ecdc: Possible Decreased Effectiveness of Vaccine

European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)Ecdc). In the first document, the body claims that based on the evidence now available, a South African variant of the Covid virus could also be linked to: weaken the action of vaccines as well as one Very high portability. But the Stockholm-based European Union agency warns that this is preliminary information.

Pfizer reassures

The Pfizer He studies the new variant and expects the first results “Within two weeks at the latest”, says a spokesman for the pharmaceutical group. German laboratory BioNTech, an ally of Pfizer, expects to receive the results of its study “Within two weeks at the most” To determine if a newly discovered variant is able to escape vaccine protection. A company spokeswoman told AFP “We immediately started studies on the B.1.1.529 variant” Which “It clearly differs from the variants already known because it contains additional mutations on the spike protein” characteristic of the virus. “Pfizer and BioNTech prepared several months ago for Update their vaccine in less than six weeks“Then be ready to deliver “First doses in 100 days” The variable must prove its resistance.

Modern: Custom Booster

Reassurances also come from Moderna: The manufacturer of the Covid vaccines has already announced that it will develop a special booster dose effective against the new Omicron variant.

The old serum is still on the market. But when will the update arrive?

Mother

However, for the EMA (European Medicines Agency) it is “premature” Now planning to adaptation of vaccines to the new format.

Germany: 76,000 infections, 357 dead. 4,000 people are in intensive care