There are currently several new strains of COVID roaming the United States. These mutations can make the coronavirus more difficult to contain, thanks to its more transmissible nature, so experts are regularly sequencing the virus to ensure that no new variants appear and are not detected. Recently, COVID White House advisor Anthony Fauci, MD, warned that doing one thing could inadvertently create more new strains of COVID. Continue reading for Fauci’s warning words and for more information from the infectious disease specialist, Dr. Fauci has just provided this scary update on the new COVID strain.
Fauci has vehemently opposed to postponing the second doses of the COVID vaccine, which some experts have proposed as part of an effort to get as many initial doses as possible. Approaching vaccination in this way makes room for possibilities that were not taken into account during testing. As Fauci notes, a possible result of vaccine spacing is the creation of newer strains of COVID.
“The other theoretical question that can be problematic compared to just a single dose, that if you get a suboptimal response, the way viruses respond to pressure, you may be inadvertently selecting more mutants,” said Fauci during a White Inform the House press on February 8. “So, for that reason, we continue to follow the fact that we feel that the ideal approach would be to continue receiving as many people as possible on their first dose, but also ensuring that people on time receive the second dose.” get essential vaccine guidance, if it happens after your vaccine, the FDA says you should call 911.
Postponing second doses of the vaccine may not only generate new strains of the virus, but also strains that are more problematic – that is, potentially more infectious and resistant to vaccines. According Science News, postponing a second dose can lead to more dangerous mutations: “For the COVID-19 vaccine, if people’s second dose is delayed long enough – similar to not completing a full complement of antibiotics – it is possible that a low number of antibodies neutralizing triggers triggered by a dose can only partially fight an infection. This can provide more time for variants of the virus with immune mutations to emerge, thrive and pass on to other people. “These new strains that prevent the immune system can decrease effectiveness of the vaccine. And for the most up-to-date information, subscribe to our daily newsletter.
While many health experts are opposed to postponing the second dose of the COVID vaccine, others believe that this is the key to preventing another increase in cases. On January 31, Michael Osterholm, PhD, a member of the White House’s COVID advisory board, suggested that the US focus on putting the maximum amount of the first doses in people’s arms, before an imminent increase resulting from the new, more transmissible strains of the virus.
“I think now, before this increase, we need to get the most [first vaccine] doses in as many people over 65 as possible to reduce a serious illness and deaths that will occur in the coming weeks, “said Osterholm in Meet the press. Focusing on administering as many injections as possible can minimize the number of serious illnesses and deaths from the next wave, he added. And for more vaccine news, if you have these side effects from the vaccine, don’t take another injection, says the CDC.
Although experts are still divided over whether to postpone the second dose is a good idea or not, as of January 22, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that extending the window between vaccines is allowed in exceptional circumstances .
In an update on vaccine guidance, the CDC said: “The second dose should be administered as close as possible to the recommended interval.” However, “if it is not feasible to adhere to the recommended interval, the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines can be scheduled for administration within six weeks (42 days) after the first dose.” This update offers flexibility for states and patients to delay the second dose of the vaccine, if necessary. And to learn more about the future of the pandemic, Dr. Fauci says that you should be able to do that by April.