Upon reaching a milestone in the application of 100 million vaccines in the United States, with 77 million people who have received at least one dose against COVID – 19 , many wonder when we will achieve herd immunity that reduces the danger of the pandemic.
“Lo we will achieve when between the 50 and 70% of the population is vaccinated, although there are many Factors against such as that more than a dozen states are loosening up and many people are not wearing masks to protect against infection, ”said Dr. Nirav Shahm, associate professor of Medicine at Stanford University during the video conference“ Mutant Variants Against Vaccines , which one will prevail in the fight of the pandemic? ” organized by Ethnic Media Services.
“We are in a race against the supply of vaccines and a mutant virus that is going to evolve. That is why every year, we will have to receive the COVID vaccine – 19 ”.
The doctor and professor Shahm said that the virus does not respect borders and we need everyone in the world to be vaccinated.
“ If people get on a plane and go to a country where there is only one 20% or 30% of people not vaccinated, there is a risk. So we are in a race worldwide . One will not have a normal life and go on vacation with peace of mind, if our neighbors are not vaccinated. ”
The variants of the virus
Shahm explained that the history of virus variants is a history of natural variation. “As it begins? First there are many viruses everywhere, and as a consequence many people get infected. One or two particles is all we need to get infected, a small change in a protein can fit with other cells. ”
What happens, he said, is that these particles are being attacked by the vaccine.
“ Herd immunity will depend on how quickly we vaccinate people against the level of disease in the community and how much transmission we have ”.
Sham said that we need to be concerned about the variants of interest that have caused a block of infections in the US and other countries, and are driving cases up ; and it could be more contagious than others and escape the immunity we receive from the vaccine.
“The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) evaluates 3 variants of interest, the most common It is the P-2. The P2 variant was detected in Brazil, but the first case was not detected there. We do not know how lethal it is and how it is transmitted, and if those who have received the vaccine are neutralized against it. ”
Then there are the 5 variants of concern. “From studies, we know that the B 1177 are transmitted 50% faster than the previous ones and can increase mortality by 60, 70%, and Moderna and Pfizer vaccines help, but when you have IB 77″.
The other strains of concern are BI 351, P1, BI 427 and B 429.
“The next level is a high consequence variant that causes more pronounced illness and more hospitalization. To win this race, we have to get people vaccinated as soon as possible, we are in the process of looking for combinations in vaccines to attack this variant of the protein. ”
Johnson & Johnson
Dr. Dali Fan, Professor of Clinical Health Sciences at UC Davis, said that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine gives a prevention of 80% to the 14 days to apply; To the days, 100% and at 28 days, one 85%.
“Prevents hospitalizations in 93%, death in 75% and has very low side effects. ”
However, he emphasized that l The three vaccines are effective in 65 to 95% and all reduce hospitalizations to 89%.
The characteristics of the Johnson & Johnson are: require a single dose, regular refrigeration from 8 to 12 degrees Celsius, making it perfect for mobile clinics and rural areas where there are no refrigerators.
” Maybe it is better for people who want to be vaccinated soon and not come back for a second. a dose because they are afraid of needles or are helpless. ”
Where are we on vaccination?
Biden said he expects all eligible adults to get the COVID vaccine – 19 for the 1st of May.
“ The problem is the distribution. We need to do our part in this community effort and hope that high school students will be vaccinated by October , ”said Dr. Fan.
Dr. Daniel Turner Lloveras, founding member of the Latino Coalition Against COVID – 19, recalled that most communities of color are being left out in this race to receive the vaccine, and to helping older adults have created a program with bilingual volunteers to contact Latinos especially who do not know how to use the Internet or the computer.
“There are immigrants who do not have digital knowledge to navigate online and how to sign up for the vaccine. We are also implementing a WhatsApp channel, since we know that it is an application widely used by the Latino community and this would allow us to increase the number of people vaccinated to achieve herd immunity. ”
He emphasized that there is 22 millions of seniors in the United States, the 42% of the nation is from 65 years or more, and that is the group most at risk of complications, which we need to vaccinate.