“Two vaccines are not enough against the Omicron variant”: Carlos Álvarez

SEMANA: We are facing respiratory peaks, so the mask is better to continue using it, is that right?

CARLOS ÁLVAREZ: Yes, we definitely have to continue using it at times when there is an increase in the circulation of respiratory viruses, including the coronavirus. It is important to highlight that it is evident that the mask works to prevent contagion and has shown that it is an effective and complementary measure to vaccination.

SEMANA: But only in closed places?

CA: Closed spaces are where we are close to people we are not usually with, so contagion is possible. This is a matter of common sense, we have learned throughout life that when we expose ourselves to the sun, we do so with sunscreen because we know that it can cause skin cancer if we do not protect ourselves. We know in Colombia that there are two respiratory peaks because there are increases in virus transmission. That’s why the plug is an effective measure to avoid diseases.

SEMANA: People are seen without masks in closed places and as if they forgot self-care…

CA: Yes, specifically at this time, because we cannot forget that we are in a fifth epidemic peak; that is, there is greater transmission of the virus. Four weeks ago we were talking about the fact that out of 100 people with suspected covid-19, only five or ten were positive. At this time, 25 or 30 have the virus, that is, there is a greater circulation of the disease and that is why it is important to take preventive measures. I make a call to complete the vaccination schedules.

SEMANA: Many Colombians believe that the pandemic is over…

CA: Yes, there are people who are thinking that the health emergency is over because the disease is over and that is not true. The emergency was something administrative and the desired objectives were achieved, but from the epidemiological point of view, we are at a fifth peak that, thanks to those efforts that have been made and the vaccination coverage, does not have the impact of others that we have past. However, it does not mean that we do not have an increase in cases; there is a smaller proportion, but we still have an impact on hospitalizations and deaths. Biologically, viruses manage to mutate, we know that two vaccines are not enough to protect against the omicron variant and that is why we have to give more doses, especially to people who are over 50 years old and other clinical risk conditions that we already know .

SEMANA: Is there a chance that the coronavirus vaccine will become an annual scheme?

CA: Yes, it is possible that it will begin to become a scheme within an expanded immunization plan; what we don’t know right now is how often you have to get vaccinated because that’s something we’ve been learning over the last two or three years. The virus has been mutating and that makes the speed at which these mutations appear change the determined frequency of every six months or every year. At this moment we are seeing that after six months that protection against contagion begins to be lost especially; that is, I get vaccinated and after six months I can get infected again.

SEMANA: Could the subvariants prevent the effectiveness of the vaccine?

CA: Yes, since the first half of 2022 the circulation of the omicron variant has predominated, what happens is that it is not only one, but rather has twins that are very close to each other. These variants, which are the cause of this epidemic peak, have a characteristic, and that is that the subvariants manage to partially evade the immune response that was generated, that is, the defenses against vaccines and against natural infection.

SEMANA: How can a person differentiate a cold from a coronavirus infection?

CA: It is not possible to differentiate it, even doctors cannot do it. It is true that the coronavirus virus is circulating, but also other respiratory viruses, such as influenza. However, I make an important connotation to it, when I wear a mask or isolate myself, I am also preventing the people around me from getting infected with those other viruses. It is important that we get tested to identify if they are other viruses or if I have covid-19, a call for people to get tested.

SEMANA: After the emergency and the measures, each citizen should definitely take care of themselves, is that right?

CA: Okay, and an important point: we must not forget what we have been through, a person who has flu symptoms and is in an office or social gathering can have covid-19 and the evolution of the disease is different in each person , we must take care of ourselves.

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