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In Italy, the administration of the Covid-19 vaccine. On Sunday, December 27, the so-called V-Day, the first Italians were vaccinated: they were, in particular, first-line health personnel, doctors and nurses. The first Italian to be vaccinated, in fact, was a 29-year-old nurse from the Lazzaro Spallanzani hospital in Rome.
However, many Italians are still skeptical and concerned about a vaccine released after a few months of experimentation and studies. The discovery of new variants of the virusalso made it even more doubting the efficacy of the vaccine himself against the English, South African and now Italian mutations.
L ‘Italian Medicines Agency (Aifa), therefore, has published the Frequently asked questions about vaccines Covid-19 mRNA BNT162b2 (Comirnaty) to clarify all the doubts of the Italian population. Let’s see what you need to know about this vaccine.
Covid Vaccine: Aifa’s Frequently Asked Questions
the Vaccine for COVID-19 BNT162b2 mRNA (Comirnaty) is intended to prevent contraction of the Sars-Cov-2 virus in people over 16 years of age. Doses are administered through two injections, usually in the muscle of the upper arm, at least 21 days apart.
Its action is aimed at counteract the spread of spike protein (responsible for the proliferation of the virus in cells) in the body and thus prevent the infection from spreading between cells. In addition, the vaccine also activates T cells that teach the immune system to recognize the virus and fight it when the body is exposed to it.
Let’s see, therefore, what are the main doubts of Italians about the Covid vaccine and how Aifa has responded quickly by filling some gaps.
Has the Covid vaccine trial been shortened to have the product first?
One of the most frequently asked questions among the most skeptical of the Covid vaccine is related to the speed with which the first doses were rapidly distributed around the world. The average time for the production of a vaccine is several years, while that against Covid-19 has already reached a few months.
Studies of the coronavirus vaccine began during the spring of 2020 and ended in a short time thanks to the participation of several people (equal to ten times compared to usual procedures) in the experimentation and research phase.
In addition, Aifa has ensured that no phase was skipped neither research nor experimentation on the efficacy and safety of the vaccine itself. Speed in production and distribution, in fact, it is also due to the other in-depth studies conducted over many years about RNA vaccines.
How effective is the Covid vaccine?
Closely linked to the first question is also the second question, namely, that concerningvaccine efficacy same. With the necessary premises linked to the fact that there are no 100% effective treatments in any health sector, it has been proven that the vaccine against Covid-19 is effective 95% among adults 16 years or older, with a substantially homogeneous result for the different ethnic groups and age groups.
How long does the protection of the Covid vaccine last?
Having clarified the vaccination methods they provide two administrations at least 21 days apart, it should be noted that the coronavirus vaccine protection It is not yet precisely defined because the observation periods are still ongoing.
However, it is possible to estimate the duration of protection on the basis of other similar types of viruses: therefore, vaccinated persons should be protected for a period that includes between 9 and 12 months.
Can vaccinated people transmit Covid to other people?
It is not yet known for sure whether the vaccine actually protects against transmission of the infection or not. In fact, vaccinated subjects could asymptomatically transmit the virus to other subjects, or could not transmit it at all.
For this reason, It is important that vaccinated people and those who live with them also take all necessary precautions to prevent the spread of infection.: masks, disinfectant gel and safety distance will be the main allies against Covid-19.
What are the adverse reactions that have been recorded?
Not all people react the same way to vaccines. In fact, there are adverse reactions that could cause more or less serious disorders in the subjects who received the doses of the vaccine.
In particular, with regard to the Covid vaccine, the reactions developed more frequently (more than one in ten people), but they were resolved in a very short period of time. The main ones are: pain and swelling at the injection site, fatigue, headache, muscle and joint pain, chills and fever.
Fewer than one in ten people experienced injection site redness and nausea, while fewer than one in 100 people experienced injection site itching, pain in limbs, swollen lymph nodes, trouble reconciling sleep and Feeling bad. Finally, fewer than one in a thousand people have had weakness in the muscles on one side of the face.
Will the Covid vaccine also be effective against new variants discovered in the rest of the world?
As the first doses of the vaccine prepared to cross national borders, some variants of the virus have been discovered that scared the population. In particular, it is the English and South African Covid variant. Many wonder, therefore, whether the vaccine will also be effective against virus mutations.
Many variations of the virus have been reported in 2020, but so far none of these altered the natural behavior of the virus. Even the English version, in fact, is the result of a series of protein mutations on the surface of the virus and therefore vaccine ineffectiveness seems unlikely. The necessary tests are ongoing.
Should anyone who has already had a Covid-19 infection get vaccinated?
Much has been said about the possible immunity obtained by those who tested positive for Covid-19 and therefore the doubt arises spontaneously: Who has contracted the infection will have to be vaccinated?
There is no certainty, but what we do know is that the vaccine does not protect against previous manifestations of the virus. Therefore, for the first vaccination campaign, these subjects may not need the vaccine doses, whereas once the duration of immunity has been confirmed, the vaccine should also be administered to subjects who have already contracted the infection.
Will there be a vaccine for everyone?
The first doses of the Covid vaccine have reached the main countries of the world thanks to the negotiation of pharmaceutical companies with the authorities of individual states. The first doses have also reached Italy and the first vaccinations have begun. But will the vaccine be enough for everyone?
For the time being, priority has been given to RSA medical and health personnel and the elderly. Then it will be the turn of those over 80 and people who have particular problems that expose them to contracting the virus. We will then move on to the population group over 60 years of age and, finally, we will proceed to administer the doses to the rest of the population as well.
Notices will reach stakeholders by mail and those who will have to carry out the vaccine (absolutely free and voluntary for the moment) must go to the vaccination services present in 286 hospitals defined by the National Covid-19 vaccination plan. For RSA guests, on the other hand, vaccination staff will arrive at the facility.
