JAKARTA - The World Health Organization (WHO) has asked the world's COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers to adjust the vaccines they make with the new mutation of the coronavirus that has recently emerged.
This was conveyed by the Head of WHO, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. According to him, 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 using Astrazeneca vaccines, after a study showed the vaccine was less effective at preventing the mutated virus 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 is able to prevent severe disease in those infected with the South African mutation. 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 preventing the opportunity for the virus to spread and the opportunity to change the ways in which vaccines are 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 that is updated twice a year to match the dominant strain", said Dr Tedros.
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 to inject the AstraZeneca vaccine to 100.000 people so they could monitor hospitalizations. If the vaccine is effective in preventing hospitalizations, they could inject more people.
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"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.
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