In December 2020, news media reported a new variant of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, and since then, other variants have been identified and are under investigation. The new variants raise questions: Are people more at risk for getting sick? Will the COVID-19 vaccines still work? Are there new or different things you should do now to keep your family safe? Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the new variants:
Will the COVID-19 vaccine work on the new variants?
There is new evidence from laboratory studies that some immune responses were driven by the current vaccines, could be less effective against some of the new strains. The immune response involves many components, and a reduction in one does not mean that the vaccines will not offer protection.
Are coronavirus variants more dangerous?
Some of the mutations may enable the coronavirus to spread faster from person to person, and more infections can result in more people getting very sick or dying. In addition, there is preliminary evidence that some variants can be associated with more severe diseases. Therefore it is very important for us to expand the number of genetic sequencing studies to keep track of these variants.
Could a new COVID-19 variant affect children more frequently than earlier strains?
Although experts in some areas where the new strain is appearing have found an increased number of cases in children. Data shows that kids are being infected by old variants, as well as the new ones. There is no convincing evidence that any of the variants have a special propensity to infect or cause disease in children.
Are there any additional COVID-19 precautions for the new COVID-19 mutations?
As of now, none of the new coronavirus variants call for any new prevention strategies. There is no demonstration yet that these variants are biologically different in ways that would require any change in current recommendations meant to limit the spread of COVID-19. Nonetheless, we must continue to be vigilant for such phenomena.
The more people who are infected, the more chances there are for a mutation to occur. Limiting the spread of the virus through maintaining COVID-19 safeguards like wearing masks, physical distancing and practicing hygiene gives the virus fewer chances to change. It also reduces the spread of more infectious variants, if they do occur.
How concerned should we be about coronavirus variants?
Most of the genetic changes we see in this virus are like the scars people accumulate over a lifetime incidental marks of the road, most of which have no great significance or functional role. When the evidence is strong enough that a viral genetic change is causing a change in the behavior of the virus, we gain new insight regarding how this virus works.
As far as these variants are concerned we don’t need to overreact. But as with any virus, changes are something to be watched, to ensure that testing, treatment, and vaccines are still effective.
The scientists will continue to examine new versions of this coronavirus genetic sequencing as it evolves.
In the meantime, we need to continue all of our efforts to prevent viral transmission and to vaccinate as many people as possible. Where can you find an affordable vaccine provide in the Philippines you might ask?
That’s where Kaiser International Health Group Inc. comes in! Get vaccinated today as it is one of the things to put an end to COVID-19 mutations. Get Kaiser Health Care today!
