Is the severity of the delta strain increasing? Is the COVID-19 vaccine still useful? Whether to arrange for intensified vaccination... The latest response!
What are the characteristics of the Delta strain?
First, the communication capability has been significantly enhanced. According to a study by the World Health Organization, the transmission rate of Delta virus has increased by nearly 100% compared with other non-VOC and older virus strains, which is doubled. In the recent outbreak of the new crown pneumonia caused by the delta mutant virus, research on the transmission dynamics also suggests that the infectivity has also doubled compared with the previous epidemic strain. At the same time, another very important indicator that reflects its transmission ability is its transmission speed. The main reason is that its incubation period and passage interval have been shortened, probably by an average of 1-2 days. We know that the incubation period was about 5-6 days in the past, but now it is more than 4 days. Its passage interval used to be 4 or 5 days, but now it has become about 3 days.
Third, the current existing research and observations also suggest that the COVID-19 vaccine may be less protective against delta virus, but the current vaccine still has a good preventive and protective effect against delta virus.
Has the mode of transmission of the delta strain changed?
Its transmission method has not changed, and it is still spread through the following main methods:
The first is the spread of respiratory droplets, that is, the respiratory droplets spilled from our sneezing, coughing and even talking carry the virus, which will cause the infection of people in close contact with him. This is the most important way.
The second is the spread of exposure to pollutants. Respiratory droplets and secretions contaminate the surface of the object, and the virus can survive for a period of time. Other people will be infected when they touch the surface of the contaminated object with their hands and become infected with the virus. When they touch their mouth, eyes, and nose .
The third can also form airborne transmission, or aerosol transmission, especially indoors, in a narrow and poorly ventilated space. If an infected person coughs or sneezes, it will form very small respiratory secretions particles, which can be in the air. Hovering, other people inhale it, it can cause infection, and even if the person who has discharged the virus leaves this space, the virus will still exist in the air for a certain period of time, and other people will cause infection when they enter.
About prevention and control measures
Virus mutations, are the current prevention and control measures effective?
At present, our prevention and control measures are still effective.
First, the scientific community's understanding of this virus. It is still a coronavirus, and its source of infection and way of transmission are basically clear.
Second, based on our country`s current prevention and control practices. Because the current prevention and control measures have dealt with the Guangdong, Liaoning, and Yunnan epidemics, there have been nearly 30 epidemics, and the effect has been remarkable.
Will the epidemic break out on a large scale?
Judging from the current global situation, being infected after being vaccinated is called a breakthrough case. It is a normal state, and it is not an exception. But it needs to be emphasized that the emergence of breakthrough cases is still a small number of people who have received more than 3 billion doses of vaccines in the world.
Clinical data shows that no vaccine can prevent infection 100%, but the general judgment is that the current variants are still within the controllable range of the current vaccine. The prevention and control measures adopted by our country since last year are also effective.
Because our existing prevention and control measures can be put in place, vaccination is also leading in the world, and there is no real environment for large-scale outbreaks.
Can I still travel during the summer?
First, people in high- and medium-risk areas must cancel their travel.
Second, people from other regions must carefully check the epidemic risk status of their destinations before traveling, and travel to high- and medium-risk areas should be postponed.
Third, no matter where you travel, personal precautions must be taken, including wearing masks, washing hands frequently, and avoiding and reducing indoor crowded places as much as possible. In outdoor activities, we should also pay attention to maintaining appropriate interpersonal distance.
Fourth, the elderly and patients with chronic diseases, especially those who have not completed the full course of immunization of the new crown vaccine or those who have not been vaccinated for the entire course of the new crown vaccine but have not yet reached 14 days, should try not to travel abroad.
How effective is the new crown vaccine against mutant strains?
●Clinical data shows that none of the vaccines can prevent infection 100%, but the general judgment is that the current variants are still within the controllable range of the current vaccine. The prevention and control measures adopted by our country since last year are also effective.
●Based on real-world research carried out in countries with large-scale epidemics abroad, especially in the research process of more than 10 million people carried out in Chile, the overall protection rate of vaccines of our National Kexing Company is that of all symptoms and mild illnesses. The protection is above 65%, and the protection against severe illness, admission to the ICU and death cases are as high as 87.5%, 90.3% and 86.3% respectively. This fully shows that our country`s vaccine can effectively reduce hospitalization, severe illness and mortality.
●Existing research also shows that vaccines of various technical routes around the world have indeed shown a certain degree of decline in the protection of the new crown variant strain, but for this variant strain, it is still within the scope of vaccine protection. In particular, its neutralizing antibodies and protection rate still exist to a certain extent.
Is it necessary to inoculate the new coronavirus vaccine booster?
Preliminary observations show that there is no need for booster vaccination for the general population who have completed immunization within one year. However, for the elderly who have completed the immunization for more than 6-12 months and have weak immune function and patients with underlying diseases, as well as those who have to work in high-risk areas due to work needs, these groups of people who are engaged in high-risk occupations in China , Whether it is necessary to carry out intensified injections, and when to carry out intensified injections, is currently being studied.
What is the vaccination situation for people over 60 and adolescents between 12 and 17 years of age?
The vaccination work for people over 60 years old has all been included in the scope of vaccination. As of July 28, 150 million people over 60 years old have been vaccinated nationwide. The vaccination of minors between the ages of 12 and 17 is carried out in a stable and orderly manner by region and age group. As of July 28, a total of 12.48 million people have been vaccinated.
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