The nationwide XBB.1.5 vaccination rate is only 3.64%, and vaccine promotion in Taiwan is quite poor. Although most people have been vaccinated against COVID-19, the past vaccines against the BA.4/5 mutant strain have long been ineffective and cannot be used to fight against it. New mutant strain! (Photo/Shutterstock)
Reporter Yang Aiting/Comprehensive Report
Recently, the COVID-19 epidemic has increased in all six continents. According to the research team of Professor Chen Xiuxi of the School of Public Health of National Taiwan University, in the “Healthy Smart Living Circle” live broadcast, the current worst epidemic is in Southeast Asia, while the number of cases has also increased in Europe, Africa, and the Western Pacific. , the epidemic in the United States is also heating up. Since mid-December last year (2023), nearly 30,000 people in the United States have been hospitalized due to COVID-19 infection, an increase of more than 16% from the previous week. Although the number of cases in South American countries has shown negative growth, in fact, Because most of the cases are mild, for low- and middle-income countries, such as Brazil, the number of notifications is reduced in order to take into account the national economy. It can be seen that the epidemic situation around the world has actually increased significantly.
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The virus continues to mutate, EG.5 and JN.1 gradually replace XBB.1.5 and become the mainstream
In view of the global distribution of sub-variant viruses, XBB.1.5 is increasingly decreasing, while EG.5 is gradually increasing, and JN.1 is also slowly increasing. This has attracted public attention to the current XBB.1.5 vaccine. For EG.5, Is the JN.1 variant effective? Currently, JN.1 is increasing in Europe, the Americas, and the Western Pacific. However, there is no data to follow because genetic sequence surveillance is not available in Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean, and Southeast Asia. Moderate to severe cases and deaths are also on the rise in Taiwan. There are about 16 moderate to severe cases and about 2 deaths per million people. However, because RT-PCR is not specifically used for differential diagnosis, these numbers are still underreported, but overall Generally speaking, the epidemic situation is showing a rising trend.
The whole Taiwan is depressed! Should I take the XBB.1.5 monovalent vaccine?
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The current XBB.1.5 vaccination rate for all age groups in Taiwan. From December 25 to December 31 last year, the nationwide XBB.1.5 vaccination rate was only 3.64%. The vaccine promotion in Taiwan is quite poor. Although most people have I have been vaccinated against COVID-19, but the vaccine against the BA.4/5 mutant strain has long since expired and cannot be used to fight against the new mutant strain! It is recommended that the public should take the new XBB.1.5 vaccine, especially vulnerable groups, including patients with diabetes, kidney disease, cancer, and those with immune deficiencies.
How safe and effective is the XBB.1.5 monovalent vaccine? Studies have confirmed that it is highly safe and effective (neutralizing antibodies). However, do people who have been infected with Omicron still need to be vaccinated? As mentioned above, the protective power of the BA.4/5 vaccine administered in the past has expired. In the face of new mutation points, including XBB.1.5, EG.5, JN.1, etc., new vaccines still need to be administered, and research is still going on. It has been confirmed that the XBB.1.5 monovalent vaccine is effective against JN.1. In addition, it is effective in preventing hospitalization and severe illness in both older and younger groups.
Take a look at the safety and neutralizing antibody concentration of “XBB.1.5 vaccine” at once!
How protective and safe is the XBB.1.5 vaccine compared with the bivalent BA.4/5 vaccine? According to a randomized assignment trial in April last year, the trial was conducted to evaluate the protective power of the XBB.1.5 vaccine in adults over 18 years old. They were divided into 50 people who received the monovalent vaccine XBB.1.5 (50µg) and the bivalent vaccine BA.4. /5 (25µg) plus XBB.1.5 (25µg) 51 people in two groups.
Research results have found that Moderna XBB.1.5 can increase the protective power against XBB series mutant strains by 17 times; even against subsequent new mutations EG.5 and BA.2.86, it can also increase the protective power by 14 times and 10 times respectively; it is certified to implement XBB. In addition to providing protection against XBB series mutant strains, the 1.5 monovalent vaccine also has the same effect against other new mutant strains. Moreover, regardless of whether you have been infected with COVID-19, the Moderna XBB.1.5 monovalent vaccine can provide effective immune protection against new mutant strains, especially those who have not been infected.
Compared with the bivalent vaccine BA.4/5, the Moderna XBB.1.5 vaccine has better protection against new variant strains than the bivalent vaccine. Finally, the local reactions of the XBB.1.5 vaccine, such as pain, erythema, swelling and other reaction symptoms, are lower than or similar to the original Moderna vaccine; the systemic reactions, such as fever, headache, fatigue, muscle aches and other symptoms, are also lower than those of the original Moderna vaccine. Or something close to the original Moderna vaccine. It is confirmed that the XBB.1.5 vaccine is safe. As the Chinese New Year is approaching, people may make domestic and international travel plans. Considering the frequent gatherings of people during the Chinese New Year, we urge the public to get the XBB.1.5 vaccine as soon as possible to enhance protection and protect themselves and their families.
2024-01-14 22:39:32
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