On the morning of the 2nd, a simulated training was conducted in preparation for transportation and unexpected situations ahead of vaccination against the novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19) at Incheon International Airport in Yeongjong Island, and soldiers supporting the transportation of the vaccine are on standby. yunhap news
As a mutant virus, which has a stronger transmission power than the existing coronavirus infection (Corona 19), spreads in the United States, a warning was raised that the speed of vaccination should be accelerated. It is pointed out that before the mutation spreads, it is necessary to form a collective immunity to block the virus infection chain. In Korea, as a mutant virus in Brazil has been identified following the recent British and South African outbreak, there are concerns that “the worst case (vaccine) may cause problems.”
Pouch intestine “Vaccine is the best way to prevent mutation”
Anthony Pouch, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, USA. AP=Yonhap News
According to CNN broadcasting, on the 1st (local time), Anthony Pouch, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), told the White House Corona 19 Response Team briefing, “The best way to fight the spreading new mutations is to vaccinate people as quickly and as possible. Is to inoculate.” He said, “In virology, it is known that if the virus does not replicate, it cannot make mutations,” he said. “If a vaccine is given and the virus does not have room for replication, there will be no more mutations.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), three mutations were identified in 31 US states as of the 1st (local time). All 437 people were infected. Former CDC director Tom Frieden also said, “Time is life in the future,” and urged the corona vaccination to proceed faster to respond to the spread of the corona mutation.
“If the stool is severe, the existing vaccine may not work”
On the 6th of last month, at the arrival hall of Incheon International Airport, quarantine officials are guiding the movement of foreign immigrants. News 1
The reason why experts order vaccine speed battles is that there is a possibility that the preventive effect of existing vaccines may not work properly in the case of mutant viruses. In fact, the results of a clinical trial released by NovaVax, a Maryland-based pharmaceutical company in the United States on the 28th (local time), showed a preventive effect of 89.3% in the UK, whereas in South Africa, where mutations were found in 8-9 out of 10, the effect was not. It fell to 49.4-60%. Of the 4422 South African volunteers, 49% of those infected with AIDS (HIV) had a preventive effect, and 60% of those who did not.
Another US pharmaceutical company Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) released a vaccine phase 3 clinical trial on the 29th (local time), confirming that it is relatively ineffective against mutations in South Africa. In 8 countries where clinical trials were conducted, an average of 66% was observed, whereas in South Africa, 57% was effective. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers the vaccine effective to exceed 50%.
However, Pfizer and Moderna, who completed clinical trials before the spread of the mutant virus, do not have relevant data yet. They said they plan to develop a new vaccine candidate and enter clinical trials in the second quarter. In the case of the AstraZeneca vaccine introduced in Korea in the first half of the year, it is not yet known how effective it is in the South African mutation.
34 cases of mutant virus infection in Korea
Officials are inspecting the safety distribution simulation training for the new coronavirus infection (Corona 19) jointly held at the cargo terminal of Incheon Airport on the 2nd. News 1
As such, some point out that the speed of vaccination should be increased even in Korea, where mutations are being discovered one after another. Kim Shin-woo, a professor of infectious medicine at Kyungpook National University Hospital, said, “To protect your house, it is best to turn off the fire before it gets bigger. It is important to break the epidemic by preventing patients from occurring,” he said. “If the mutation is severe in the current situation, it is difficult to work with the current vaccine, so the vaccine must be re-developed accordingly.”
The Central Defense Countermeasure Headquarters (Bangdaebon) announced that 7 additional mutant viruses were confirmed on a daily basis. Of the seven, four were confirmed to have a mutation from the UK, two from Brazil, and one from South Africa. As a result, the number of confirmed cases of mutant virus infection in Korea increased to 34.
Kwon Joon-wook, head of the 2nd vice president of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said at a regular briefing on the 23rd of last month, “There is already a talk that the infectivity is increased by an average of 50% in relation to mutations originating in the UK. Vaccines are also facing challenges. In the worst case, there is a possibility that the effect will be compromised.”
Reporter Woorim Lee [email protected]