The New Corona B117 Variant Enters Indonesia, Is Vaccination Still Effective?

JAKARTA - The new mutated COVID-19 variant or known as "VUI-202012/01" or B117 has entered Indonesia. Thus, many questions arise regarding the effectiveness of vaccination against this COVID-19 variant.

Minister of Research and Technology (Menristek) Bambang Brodjonegoro spoke up on the matter. He said the new variant of SARS-COV-2, B117 from England had not been proven to interfere with the performance of the COVID-19 vaccine.

"So far B117 has had an impact on the spread of the virus more quickly and could interfere with the PCR test performance, but it has not been proven to cause more severity and has not been proven to interfere with vaccine performance", said Minister of Research and Technology Bambang, Tuesday, March 2.

The B117 variant was found in Indonesia through whole-genome sequencing activities in samples of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 which was transmitted in Indonesia. Of the 462 WGS conducted, two cases were identified as containing the new variant from England.

Even so, Bambang said that the development of the COVID-19 vaccine independently was still going on as scheduled. Later, testing the performance of vaccine seeds against these new variants will also be carried out.

Contacted separately, Head of the Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology Amin Soebandrio said his party would first confirm the effect of this variant. Further research will be carried out, but vaccine development is not disrupted.

Eijkman targets that the Red and White vaccine seeds have developed based on recombinant protein subunits will be handed over to PT Bio Farma in March 2021.

The Red and White Vaccine is important to support the nation's independence against the COVID-19 vaccine and the national vaccination program.

Meanwhile, the government through the Spokesperson for the Task Force (Task Force) Handling COVID-19 Wiku Adisasmito emphasized that it would trace close contact in the case of a new variant of COVID-19. The goal is to prevent the spread of expansion.

"These findings will be followed up with an immediate investigation of the positive cases to prevent the spread of spreading. Currently, officers at the arrival gate and various elements involved with the COVID-19 Task Force will continue to monitor implementation in the field", said Wiku.

However, Wiku has not been able to provide details regarding the area of the spread of the new COVID-19 variant. He said, what is certain is that the government will take the necessary actions, even if necessary, the rules will also be changed.

"The government will try to be adaptive to the existing situation and conditions, including changing policies if necessary", he said

On the other hand, the World Health Organization (WHO) has also responded to the emergence of the new variant of COVID-19. All COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers in the world are asked to adapt the vaccines made to the new variant of the coronavirus.

This was conveyed by the Head of WHO, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The emergence of a mutated version of the virus has raised questions about its impact on vaccines.

This statement refers to the situation in South Africa which decided to stop vaccinating AstraZeneca after a study showed the vaccine was less effective at preventing the variant there.

"This is clearly news and there are important caveats for vaccine studies", said Dr. Tedros launched Euronews.

Although research is still needed to see if the AstraZeneca vaccine can prevent severe disease in those infected with the South African variant. This moment serves as a reminder of the importance of practicing physical distancing and hand washing.

"Anytime you decide to stay home, avoid crowds, wear a mask, or clean your hands. You are denying the opportunity for the virus to spread and the opportunity to change ways that can make vaccines less effective", he said.

Although experts say the coronavirus does not mutate as often as the flu virus. However, the more widespread it is, the more likely it is to mutate according to Dr. Tedros.

For this reason, like the flu vaccine, the COVID-19 vaccine also needs adjustments to be strengthened in the future.

"This is what happens with the flu vaccine which is updated twice a year to match the dominant strain", said Dr. Tedros.

Separately, Dr. Salim Abdool Karim from the South African health authority said the Pfizer and Sinopharm vaccines had minimal reductions in antibodies. Meanwhile, for the AstraZeneca vaccine, there was a very substantial reduction in neutralizing the virus.

He said they were considering rolling out the AstraZeneca vaccine in 100,000 people so they could monitor hospitalizations. If the vaccine is effective in preventing hospitalizations, it could inject more people.

"We don't want to end up with a situation where we have vaccinated one or two million people for a vaccine that may not be effective in preventing hospitalizations and severe disease", he said.