DEVELOPING NEWS:
Scientists from the United Kingdom are now saying that the second dose of neither the Oxford/AstraZeneca and Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines shows enough immunity against covid-19 in the long run. They now back the proposals for Covid-19 booster shots which is gradually beginning to gain momentum.
A recent study by the UCL Virus Watch found that antibodies generated by two doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca and Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines starts to wane as early as six weeks after the second shot, in some cases falling more than 50% over 10 weeks.
The study was from blood tests on hundreds of people in the UK and reveals that protective antibodies can wane substantially within weeks of second vaccine shots being given.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The corona virus was first discovered in late 2019/early 2020 in Wuhan city of China. It has since ravaged the world, causing a global pandemic that has continued to rage on almost two years after.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), the Covid-19 disease is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which spreads between people in several different ways.
The virus can spread from an infected person’s mouth or nose in small liquid particles when they cough, sneeze, speak, sing or breathe. These particles range from larger respiratory droplets to smaller aerosols.
Current evidence suggests that the virus spreads mainly between people who are in close contact with each other, typically within 1 metre (short-range). A person can be infected when aerosols or droplets containing the virus are inhaled or come directly into contact with the eyes, nose, or mouth.
The virus can also spread in poorly ventilated and/or crowded indoor settings, where people tend to spend longer periods of time. This is because aerosols remain suspended in the air or travel farther than 1 metre (long-range).
People may also become infected by touching surfaces that have been contaminated by the virus when touching their eyes, nose or mouth without cleaning their hands.
BASIC FACTS
- The team of scientists from the University College London (UCL) studies blood samples from 605 people who were already fully vaccinated.
- These people were mostly in their 50s, while were in their 60s.
- The study revealed that the effectiveness of the vaccines is not exactly the same in all persons. Some persons developed more antibodies than others.
- However, the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine showed more efficacy than the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, when double dose of each were given to different patients.
- They also noted that reduction in antibodies even after full vaccination is normal. Their concern is whether the reduction will continue, which will certainly diminish the effectiveness of the vaccines against the covid-19 disease.
- This waning of antibody even after the second dose is now fueling support for a 3rd dose, or what is now called booster shot.
- According to WHO research is ongoing to better understand the spread of the virus and which settings are riskiest and why.
- Research is also under way to study virus variants that are emerging and why some are more transmissible.
NOTABLE QUOTE
“We know levels of antibodies start high and drop substantially…We’re concerned that if they carry on dropping at the rate we’ve seen, the protective effects of the vaccines will start to drop too, and the big question is, when is that going to happen?”” … PROF ROB ALDRIDGE, UCL
WHAT WE ARE WATCHING
We are watching this case very closely considering the controversies surrounding the covid-19 vaccines. We are watching because it does not seem like the last have been heard about this case.
We are also monitoring to see the responses from scientists in other countries especially because there are already dissenting voices against the need for a booster covid-19 shot.
We shall keep our readers posted.
FOLLOW THE NEWS
This news is still developing and we are monitoring it for you. In the days and weeks to come, we shall continue to monitor the situation and we will continue to update our readers with the latest developments. Please let us know what part of this news that is of interest to you. Let us know what you wish to know as things develop. Also, avail us with any information that is available to you that may help us better inform our readers. You can signup to The Intel newsletter to receive expert analysis on this news and things that matter to you.
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