It seems that anxiety about the developments of the Corona virus and its variants has begun to spread all over the world, as the matter is no longer just fleeting data, as numbers began to indicate an increase in infections, especially the new variant (Omicron), which made the necks turn tense for these developments. In the midst of cases of anticipation, ambiguous questions rise about everything related to the Corona virus, its mutants, methods of prevention, infection possibilities, and the extent to which the prescribed vaccines are able to confront the new attack.
Infectious disease consultant, Dr. Ali Al-Shehri, indicates that vaccines protect against corona and its mutants, and there was a suspicion that “Omicron” reduced the effectiveness of the vaccine, but after studies they found that the booster dose raises the effectiveness to a high extent, and the activation dose is important because immunity decreases after a period of the second dose by about 6 months, and they found that immunity after the appearance of “Omicron” decreased even before 6 months, and therefore orders were issued to take the stimulatory dose after 3 months.
Mutations are harmful and beneficial!
On the difference between “Omicron” and other mutants, Dr. Ali Al-Shehri said that Omicron is the product of high mutations, and the mutations were beneficial on the one hand and harmful on the other hand, and their harm was represented in that they reduced the effectiveness of vaccines, while they were beneficial because they prevent severe infections and the virus is less harmful. As for the other mutants, they were severely infected, and “Delta” had affected the effectiveness of the vaccine after the second dose, and now “Omicron” is less virulent, but it is resistant to vaccines. Al-Shehri expressed optimism that the health situation would be good if people took the stimulant dose and adhered to precautions.
For his part, the infectious disease consultant, Dr. Muhammad Al-Rai, acknowledged that vaccines protect against corona and its mutants, stressing that the stimulus dose is becoming increasingly important for groups exposed to complications from infection, and the “Omicron” mutant is known so far to be more infective and spread faster compared to previous mutants.
The sponsor identified two main reasons why the current situation is different from what it was at the beginning of the pandemic. They are raising community awareness of proper control practices, and providing effective vaccines to boost the body's immunity.
In the same context, the infectious diseases consultant, Dr. Abdullah Jareed, confirmed what Al-Shehri and Al-Rai indicated, explaining that studies on vaccines have proven their effectiveness and indicated a decrease in the level of protection after a period of taking the vaccine. Therefore, discussions and recommendations began on the importance of taking the booster dose, to increase the level of protection.
And Greed cut off the importance of the stimulatory dose, as preliminary information indicates that the level of protection for those who have previously taken the vaccine is lower compared to other mutants. Some studies indicate that the level of protection is approximately 35%, and it rises after the activation dose to levels of approximately 80%. Of course, there is little information about this mutant, and with the passage of days and the increase in information, the answers are more accurate.
Jared explained what happened to the Corona virus, and said that the genetic material of viruses changes when they multiply and transmit, and is then called mutations, which produce a mutated virus for us, and the “Omicron” mutated was distinguished by many mutations compared to the previous mutants. And preliminary information told us that it is more rapidly spreading than before. This is why it has been classified by the World Health Organization as a mutant of concern. Grade acknowledged that the preliminary information says that Omicron is less dangerous, but our analysis of this information must be careful, as the information was from categories that had been infected with the mutated and are less likely to be severely infected. In other words, it is not surprising that the severity of the disease is low. But the information will be more accurate and clear (and therefore more reassuring) when it is proven that “Omicron” is less dangerous in groups most vulnerable to severe infection, such as the elderly or groups with chronic diseases.
The situation is worrying
Infectious and internal diseases consultant, Dr. Anuf Abdul-Majid Nematallah, explains that vaccines reduce the possibility of the disease occurring, even if a person is infected after the vaccine, the infection is mild, as the incidence of severe complications of the disease decreases and the death rate also decreases. The protection rate reaches more than 90%, especially if the level of antibodies is high because the level of antibodies is important for mutants. Regarding the activation dose, she indicated that it is important because it raises the level of antibodies, which helps protect against mutants. Its importance belongs to all segments of society. And the recommendations of the CDC to give it from the age of 18 years. As for the health situation in the world, she described it as not reassuring, and attributed this to several reasons, including the inability of many poor countries to provide vaccination for their population, and resistance to vaccination at a significant rate in countries that provided vaccination to their residents, and the occasions in which crowding and contact occur, and among the reasons is the opening of Traveling and laxity in testing for the virus and quarantine after returning from travel.
Take the reasons
“There is no need for fear after relying on God and taking the reasons.” With this phrase, the specialist in the Department of Anesthesia and Volunteer Operations at the Vaccine Center, Abdullah Al-Junaih, sends a reassuring message to everyone, in agreement with medical opinions indicating that vaccines protect against Corona and its mutants after taking the two doses and the activation dose. He said that a booster dose is necessary to keep immunity at a high level. The most important category is the elderly, people with chronic diseases, and workers in the health sector.
Al-Junaih indicated that studies are currently underway on whether the “Omicron” mutant is more or less severe than other strains of Covid-19, including the “Delta” mutant. But he advised everyone to take all precautions to avoid crowded places, keep a distance from others, and wear a mask, all of which are very important to help prevent the spread of the “Omicron” mutated strain.
Al-Junaih concluded his speech by saying that Saudi Arabia has proven to the whole world the size of its great sense and responsibility through its interest in the health of all citizens, residents or visitors to the Sacred House of God and the Prophet’s Mosque, by taking preventive and precautionary measures within the framework of its continuous efforts to prevent, contain and eliminate the spread of the Corona virus.
“Health” by “Okaz”: The fourth dose… an early hadeeth
A spokesman for the Ministry of Health, Dr. Muhammad Al-Abdali, confirmed to “Okaz” that the stimulatory dose of the Corona vaccine currently recommended is effective in confronting “Omicron”, and that it is too early to talk about a fourth dose, and we cannot recommend additional doses except after studies and the safety of doses for people. He explained in the weekly press conference last Sunday that more than 51 million doses of Corona vaccines were given in Saudi Arabia, and more than 23.1 million people received two doses. And that the world is recording high numbers of Corona infections, and more than 9.2 billion doses of vaccines have been administered around the world. The security spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, Colonel Talal Al-Shalhoub, warned against circulating rumors about the pandemic, indicating that the penalty for spreading rumors is a fine not exceeding one million riyals, or imprisonment for a period of no less than a year and not more than 5 years, or both, and in the event of a repeat violation, the penalty will be doubled. scheduled for the previous time.
Amal Al-Saeed (Riyadh) @amal222424
