“Every variant of Sars-CoV-2 that appears in some area of the world and shows a significant disturbing impact and for this we need speed up vaccination and take steps to monitor and stop the spread of these variants“To underline this at Adnkronos Salute is the virologist of the University of Milan, Fabrizio Pregliasco, analyzing the situation in the light of the various reports of variants that have occurred in recent weeks and on which international concern has been concentrated.
First the English variant, characterized as evidenced by the United Kingdom by greater transmissibility, then the South African variant and now that of Brazil on which there is enough alarm even for the cases of reinfection reported by the local health ministry. “We will see if the current vaccines also work on the latter variant identified, as seems to happen for the English variant, according to the first data. But we keep in mind that the RNA vaccine platform allows a rapid update of the shield products”, assures the expert.
The important thing, reiterates Pregliasco, however, is that the vaccination proceeds as quickly as possible. “There is great demand for vaccines, but there are also cases of sales to the highest bidder in the world and instead we should work on fairness of access” to the shield injections. To overcome the obstacle of limited supplies of doses, given that at the moment there are few companies that have the go-ahead from regulatory bodies and the demand is great, “I think the only possibility is an alliance between pharmaceutical companies”, he reasons. the virologist in reference, for example, to the announcement by France on the possibility that Sanofi will help produce competing vaccines (Pfizer or Janssen) pending the launch of its shield product.
“It is the only way that seems to me to be feasible quickly. Europe, if these alliances materialize, will be able to grab more doses. And at the international level, it will also be necessary to ensure that the countries with lower incomes do not remain in ‘canvas breeches’ – concludes Pregliasco – It is not only a question that concerns these realities, but it is also our interest that a global vaccination without inequalities is achieved. Because if there is no homogeneous coverage in the world, dangerous pockets remain that could allow the virus to raise its head “.
NEW MEASURES? – “We need a tightening on the measures, but at this moment a hard lockdown, similar to that of last April, would not be easily sustainable. There would be an objective difficulty of adhesion by a large number of categories of people who are still facing sacrifices and that have been, of course, the most affected “.
While a new Dpcm is preparing to dictate the pace of the restrictions in the coming weeks, and the reaction of those forced to the red zone such as Lombardy is recorded, among the experts there are those who warn about the need for new drastic blocks to stop the rush of the virus – and the risk of dangerous variants appearing – and not undermining vaccination. The same consultant to the Minister of Health for the coronavirus emergency, Walter Ricciardi, has signaled the opportunity for an energetic one-month lockdown.
“These are shared reasons – admits Pregliasco to Adnkronos Salute – but there is a question of sustainability. We hoped in good faith, when we were in the middle of the second wave, that the” October-November “squeeze would allow a free Christmas. We said to the citizens: hold on now so as not to deprive yourself of the holidays later. We have not been able to ensure that this goal is reached, because the virus has a great spreading capacity. In this moment in which there is no prospect. I fear that , as the management of the Lombardy Region points out, it should be taken into account that there is no manual for the management of the lockdown and a way must be found that tightens the links, like the latest Dpcm, but in a sustainable way “.
VACCINATION PLAN – “To date, research data tells us that we are certain of the results of the anti-Covid vaccination with a specific schedule that indicates the need for two doses at a precise distance from each other. The choice to change this is questionable. It could be done, but in my opinion this option should be evaluated only if it were the last resort “underlines Pregliasco who intervenes in the ongoing debate at an international level on hypothetical strategies to optimize vaccination in times of pandemic and limited supplies.
“It is clear that in an emergency situation, after reassessment, there may be different schemes, but the risks cannot be underestimated. For example, the single dose of vaccine protects less and could induce variants. In short”, highlights the expert. Adnkronos Health, that of giving everyone the first shield injection and delaying the recall “is a questionable way, but there is the risk of having to adopt it in the event of supply shortages or less than expected deliveries”.
Another delicate issue is the opportunity to vaccinate those who have already fallen ill with Covid and are cured. “In addition to the fact that there are no data on the vaccination of those who have already contracted the virus”, according to Pregliasco, “it is certainly preferable to give priority to those who have never met Sars-CoV-2 and are still exposed, rather than immediately giving a ‘booster’, a strengthening of immunity, to those who already have protective antibodies “. However, the expert adds,” the selection between Covid free and not complex, and it will become difficult to do this skimming when the vaccination campaign will be at the general population level “.
“How can you say yes and you no?”, Reasons Pregliasco. “However, tests should also be carried out to understand what level of immunity people who have recovered and who choose not to vaccinate have. At the hospital level it would be easier and we also vaccinated those who had the disease last”.
“A similar operation, to investigate the presence of a previous infection before the vaccine, was carried out at the beginning of the campaign against hepatitis B on health professionals – recalls the virologist – also to confirm that there were no problems in vaccinating those who already he had had the virus. It happened in the late 80s-early 90s. But, even there, to speed up the coverage of the population he abandoned himself “.
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