[국제]Italy and Germany, following mutant infections… British’third dose’ plan

■ Progress: Anchor Anbora, Anchor Ji Woong Jung
■ Cast: Reporter Jo Soo-hyun

[앵커]

Concerns about the spread of corona mutations in other parts of Europe, such as Italy and Germany, do not go away.

In addition to the existing vaccine, the UK is considering additional vaccinations this fall with a vaccine that is effective against the mutant virus.

Learn more about the news with reporter Jo Soo-hyun of the International Department. welcome.

Let’s go to Italy first.

How is the spread of the mutant virus?

[기자]

Yes, so far, the cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 mutant virus infections in Italy has risen to 169.

There are 162 variations from the UK the most.

There are 4 Brazilian variants and 3 South African variants.

Among these, the spread of UK mutations is unusual.

The number of patients is increasing rapidly, with outbreaks of outbreaks in central Italy.

Local health authorities believe that although the symptoms are rare among mutant infected people, the infection is very high.

In particular, we are paying attention to the fact that the rate of infection among young people is higher than that of the existing Corona 19.

It is said that the number of confirmed children under the age of 10 is on the rise.

Currently, the curve of new corona19 patients in Italy has reached an almost flat level.

There are warnings that the mutant virus can cause it to rise again within a few days.

As a preventive measure to prevent this, it is natural, but social distancing and wearing a mask are being emphasized.

In order to prevent outbreaks in schools, schools are also dropping face-to-face classes and switching to distance classes.

[앵커]

In Germany, mutation virus group infection is occurring in nursing homes.

[기자]

Yes, not long ago, I delivered the news of a nursing home group infection.

This time, a mutant outbreak from the UK occurred in a nursing home in Velm, Germany.

On the 25th of last month, residents of nursing homes had received two doses of the Pfizer vaccine.

Last week, as a result of the Corona 19 diagnostic test conducted on former residents, 14 people were confirmed to have a mutation from the UK.

However, the timing of the mutant virus infection is not yet known.

Local authorities have explained that those infected with the mutation have so far been asymptomatic or only mild, which could be a positive impact from vaccination.

If you were vaccinated and infected with the mutation, the vaccine prevented your symptoms from worsening.

However, the rapid spread of the mutant virus infection still creates anxiety.

It is also pointed out that people who have been vaccinated need to be cautious as it has been shown that there is a possibility of spreading it to others.

One German expert stressed that health authorities should strengthen monitoring of nursing homes and other nursing homes after the two doses.

Only then can the mutant virus be at risk for high-risk groups, he added.

[앵커]

I heard news that the UK is considering a’third dose’ to counter the mutant virus. What is this?

[기자]

British Health Minister Matt Hancock said at a local time briefing on the 8th that it plans to supplement the vaccine in response to the COVID-19 mutation.

In this regard, he said he has a production facility in the UK, and he strongly believes that the updated vaccine will work.

British health officials have been reviewed by adding vaccines tailored to South African mutations this fall.

Making it can be done faster, but it has to go through several stages of testing, making it difficult to get it in earlier than in the fall.

It has yet to be determined which company will develop and manufacture a vaccine for the mutant virus, but it is being promoted with German pharmaceutical company Curebag, Secretary Matt Hancock said. Let’s listen for a second.

[맷 행콕 / 영국 보건장관 : 독감 백신처럼 새로운 변이가 확인될 때마다 그에 대응한 백신을 만들어낼 수 있도록 큐어백과 파트너십을 맺었습니다.]

Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, deputy chief medical officer in England, also stressed that now is the time to think about getting the corona vaccine on an annual or regular basis, just like the flu vaccine.

However, he diagnosed that it is more important to respond to the British mutation, saying that it is unlikely that the South African mutation will become mainstream.

[앵커]

i See. But what is the current vaccination situation in the UK?

[기자]

In the UK, so far, 1 in 4 adults has completed the first dose.

From the beginning, the vaccination rate has been accelerated, mainly for the elderly, and the primary vaccination rate for the elderly aged 80 and over has now reached 91%.

Minister Hancock recommended that if you are over 70 and have not yet been notified, do not wait and contact the National Health Service first.

He also stressed the need to react aggressively whenever a mutation is found to prevent the virus from making the vaccine less effective.

The UK government plans to significantly expand testing, such as expanding free testing targets to workplaces with 50 or more employees to combat the mutant virus.

[앵커]

Among the vaccines, controversy about the effectiveness of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which the Korean government has chosen as the flagship vaccine, continues.

International project for joint purchase of vaccines What is Kovacs’ position on this vaccine?

[기자]

This is what Seth Berkeley, CEO of the World Vaccine Immunization Association, who leads COVAX along with the World Health Organization, said at a video briefing.

Research on the preventive effect of the AstraZeneca vaccine against the South African mutation is still ongoing, suggesting that there are currently no plans to reject the vaccine.

Previous studies conducted by Oxford University and the University of South Africa showed that two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine did not prevent mild and moderate symptoms due to mutations in South Africa.

In response, Berkeley said the period between the first and second doses was four weeks, and evidence was later provided that increasing the dose interval was more effective.

WHO Secretary-General Gubrersus, said the WHO expects a decision on the emergency list of AstraZeneca vaccines to be made within a few days, and is committed to preparing for the relevant evaluation.

In addition, on the 8th local time, the WHO’s immunization advisory group announced that the AstraZeneca vaccine was first discussed, and related recommendations will be discussed soon.

It seems that the WHO has also begun to move actively as the criticism that the effectiveness of the AstraZeneca vaccine is insufficient has been criticized.