There were two shots
The virus is believed to have entered the ward for patients with advanced dementia by an observer. The first infection was diagnosed in mid-July. More than twenty residents and staff have now tested positive. Seven out of 28 residents have died despite being double-vaccinated with the BioNTech / Pfizer vaccine.
“I think there are two possibilities,” says Van Ronst. “For example, the vaccine protects less well with this variant.” The second option was to vaccinate residents about six months ago. According to the Flemish virologist, the effect of the vaccine on this vulnerable group is rapidly diminishing. “We see this with a fever: it only lasts six months for very old people.” Nevertheless, Van Ronst insists that it is still too early to make firm decisions.
Pollution after vaccination
However, current vaccines do not provide 100 percent protection against Govt-19. Statistically, it is inevitable that a small portion of those who are fully vaccinated will still be affected and develop symptoms. But the vaccine makes this opportunity much smaller than it would be without the vaccine.
As we age and our immune system weakens, our risk of infection increases. Definitely more contagious delta variant. However, it is not yet clear to what extent this applies to the Colombian genre.
‘No evidence of additional infection’
The Public Health UK recently reported that there is no evidence that the Colombian variant is more contagious than the Delta type now dominant. However, preliminary data suggest that current vaccines may not work against B.1.621 as well. But since only 37 infections have been diagnosed in the UK, research on this variant is still in its infancy in the UK.
“Like the B1 variant from Brazil, the Colombian variant doesn’t really get a place,” says field archaeologist Amrish Baitjo. Since all hundreds of virus types have appeared, only a few have dominated. Now the delta variant (first discovered in India) and before that the alpha variant (first appeared in the UK).
Delta variation is the main concern
P.1621 Research should show how dangerous it is. Bytejo: “The highly contagious delta variant is of great concern. But if you look at what happened at Flemish Nursing Home, it’s good to notice this variation.”
So it happens. The World Health Organization lists this variation as a cause for concern. This is one step below the Variant of Interest (VOC) or Variant of Interest (VOI) because its potential impact is not yet clear. It also explains why the Colombian mutation is not named for the letter of the Greek alphabet. This can only happen with a VOC or VOI.
ECTC, the European RIVM, is still pressing the Colombian variant on the radar. Von Ronst: “There is no reason to panic, but there are concerns. The delta variation started with a few cases and after a few weeks it was more than 96 percent of all infections.”
