11:06 AM
Covid-19, although many now compare it to “just another flu”, continues to infect people and mutate. The proof is the Ómicron subvariants that continue to appear, as they were recently discovered and named the “Fornax” and “Eris” subvariants, derived from the Ómicron variant, the most persistent until now.
Faced with the appearance of the different subvariants, specialist Héctor Serrano, researcher at the Colombian Institute of Tropical Medicine (Icmt) of the CES University, explained that the immune response (resistance) of the vaccines that have already been applied during these three years, They have lowered their protection, currently considered low protection.
Because of this, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved and authorized the emergency use of updated covid-19 vaccines formulated to attack more variants currently circulating. And thus, prevent serious consequences such as hospitalization and death.
These are the mRNA vaccines, updated for 2023-2024 and manufactured by ModernaTX Inc. and Pfizer Inc. These vaccines include a monovalent (unique) component to the Ómicron XBB.1.5 variant.
What do you need to know?
According to the FDA, people ages 5 and older, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated before, are eligible to receive a single dose of an mRNA Covid-19 vaccine updated at least 2 months after the last dose of any Covid-19 vaccine. covid-19.
People ages 6 months to 4 years who have previously been vaccinated against Covid-19 qualify to receive one or two doses of an updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (the date and number of doses to be administered depend on the vaccine against COVID-19 that was previously received).
To find out more: Covid cases grew by 63%: scientists study Pirola, a new subvariant of Ómicron
People who have not been vaccinated between 6 months and 4 years qualify to receive three doses of the updated and authorized Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine or two doses of the updated and authorized Moderna Covid-19 vaccine.
“The FDA is confident in the safety and effectiveness of these updated vaccines and the agency’s risk-benefit assessment demonstrates that the benefits of these vaccines for people 6 months of age and older outweigh their risks,” they said in a statement from press.
The side effects are similar to those reported by people who previously received mRNA Covid-19 vaccines.
“The updated vaccines are expected to provide good protection against Covid-19 against the variants currently circulating. Unless a significantly more virulent variant emerges, the FDA anticipates that the composition of Covid-19 vaccines may need to be updated annually, as is done with the seasonal influenza vaccine,” the FDA said.
“Vaccination remains critical for public health and continued protection against the serious consequences of COVID-19, including hospitalization and death,” said Dr. Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Evaluation Center. and FDA Biologics Research.
“The public can be assured that these updated vaccines have met the agency’s rigorous scientific standards for safety, efficacy and manufacturing quality. We strongly encourage people who qualify to consider getting vaccinated,” Marks said.
2023-09-13 16:07:08
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