Even severely ill adults can get sick again. And for some, the body is able to “burn” COVID-19 literally on the doorstep. These are the features of the new virus.
What else have scientists learned about COVID-19? What happens to the vaccinated? “AiF” told about this Director of the National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology. N.F. Gamalei, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Alexander Gintsburg.
Almost 7 thousand vaccinated
Julia Borta, «AiF»: Alexander Leonidovich, how are post-registration studies of the COVID-19 vaccine progressing? Are there any side effects?
Alexander Gunzburg: The number of those vaccinated with the first component is approaching 18 thousand, and the first plus the second, respectively, to 6.5 thousand. Let me remind you that the vaccine is two-component. First, the first component is introduced, after 3 weeks – the second. So, more than 6 thousand people are fully vaccinated.
No side effects, other than those indicated in the instructions for use, are not observed in the vaccinated. Side effects were found in about 14-15% of those vaccinated. That is, 85% of people tolerate the vaccine without any consequences. The most unpleasant consequence is a rise in temperature to 38 degrees, which can be easily stopped with a paracetamol tablet.
We expect preliminary data on immunogenicity – the level of protective antibodies in vaccinated people – in mid-November. Now work is underway to collect blood from some of the vaccinated. Both in the placebo group and in the experimental group.
– Is a higher level of antibodies expected from the vaccine? After all, many who have recovered from them also have.
– The group of people who have had COVID-19 is very heterogeneous. Someone was ill in a mild form, and they practically have no antibodies at all. Someone suffered a severe infection. Now very serious scientific data have been collected, which has shown that even in severely ill patients, the picture with the formation of antibodies is very different. In 10-15% of severely ill patients, antibodies to alpha-interferon are formed (a protein that leukocytes produce in response to a viral infection to protect the body – Ed.). Why are they formed? How? Nobody really knows. Even what the mechanism is is not clear. Because this usually does not happen with other viruses. And when infected with COVID-19, the formation of antibodies to alpha interferon was immediately detected. And in large numbers. And we need interferon in order to regulate both the formation of antibodies and T-cell immunity. If there are antibodies to alpha interferon, then normal T-cell immunity will form very poorly. This, most likely, largely explains the possibility of re-infection in those people who, for some reason, have formed antibodies as a result of heavily tolerated COVID-19.
In a year we will forget about covid
– More to the mysteries of the virus. In one family, all but one were ill. And his tests did not reveal the presence of a virus, nor did he form antibodies. It turns out that he did not meet the virus, although everyone around him coughed. How is this possible?
– It happens. So, this person was awarded, most likely, by a very good innate immunity. And he dealt with this virus at the level of phagocytosis. That is, the phagocytes (cells of the immune system – Ed.) Captured it and burned it inside themselves on a low fire, slowly, as a result of chemical reactions of CO2 and H2O.
– They say that there were mutations in the genotype of the virus. Will the vaccine cope with such a mutant?
– Mutations in COVID-19, like all other viruses, occur constantly. This is their property inherent in genetics. As, in fact, in the human. But viruses have much more variability. Thank God, the monitoring of those mutations that have been recorded to date in the causative agent of COVID-19 showed that they do not affect its immunological properties. Therefore, there is still no reason to say that the vaccines that are now being created will have to be changed frequently. And that they will generally need to be changed. Although there is no definitive answer to this question yet. You have to wait about a year to see if mutations will actually occur, in particular in the Spike protein, which largely determines the immunogenicity and pathogenic properties of this pathogen.
– Now they started talking about the fact that children do not transmit the virus. There is even a hypothesis that the virus is weakening in a young and healthy body. It turns out that children do not need vaccination either?
– Most children, due to their young age, have a good immune system. At the level of phagocytosis, the alpha-interferon system, the virus is being destroyed. But at the same time, they can be carriers of the virus, and they themselves do not get sick. Therefore, communication with children, especially those in organized groups, can be dangerous for their relatives. Because adults, especially grandparents, do not possess such protective properties at the level of innate immunity. Therefore, children are becoming carriers now, in the so-called “second wave” of the epidemic process. Although I do not like to divide it into the first and second waves, but this is already such a stable cliche, I have to use it. The first wave was caused by imported cases, primarily through the airports of Moscow, St. Petersburg, etc., when the virus was transported to us from Europe and China. The second wave (which is why it is so powerful) is no longer dozens of virus sources in the chain, but hundreds of thousands. And simultaneously with the weakening of the protective properties of our immune system in the fall, the number of susceptible people increases. The child remains infected, but not sick.
– It turns out, and you need to protect adults, especially the elderly.
– Well, naturally! This category is just the main contingent of intensive care units and intensive care units with ventilators.
– Do you have a forecast about when 70% of people will be vaccinated and we will be able to breathe easy?
– This is not a forecast, but rather a goal. Everyone is working on it. Now Generium (a chemical plant for the production of drugs – Ed.) Is reaching very good rates of monthly vaccine production, followed by R-Pharm, Binnopharm, BIOCAD. Therefore, let’s hope that by the end of summer – early autumn of next year, we will cover 70% of the population with the vaccine. According to all the laws of epidemiology, immunology, this infection will be vaccine-preventable. That is, the epidemiological process will not spread like a horse fire.
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