Dr. Pečeliūnas – on vaccine opponents who have been resurrected: the situation is truly dramatic

In the past, it was thought that a pandemic would be controlled by reaching this threshold, but as the virus mutated and spread to more contagious strains, this prediction was distorted. It is now said that to fully prevent the virus in the country, about 90 percent of the Lithuanian population must be vaccinated.

Dr. Valdas Pečeliūnas, deputy director of Medicine of the Santara Clinics, spoke about vaccination, revaccination, virus mutations and the situation in hospitals in the “Aktualusis interviu” program of Žinių radijo.

If you’re wondering if there’s anything to be happy about, 70% have already been vaccinated. V. Pečeliūnas said: “According to vaccination, we are really the leader among the Baltic and regional countries; there really is something to be happy about and something to be proud of. 70 percent. Populations should continue to be targeted, not adults, but the entire population, including children. It is calculated using mathematical models. “

At the same time, Dr. V. Pečeliūnas noted that the amount mentioned is 70 percent. – was calculated for the original strain of coronavirus.

“Unfortunately, the British and delta varieties are more contagious. Consequently, in the same mathematical models, which model the percentage of the population needed to stop the spread of a pandemic, those figures are 90 percent. Right now, all of the adults and some others should be vaccinated.

That, after vaccinating 70 percent. we will stop the spread of the pandemic as part of the adult population, I would not support this idea. Unfortunately, the pandemic, which is driven by delta varieties, should continue to spread, ”said the doctor.

The doctor said that even those who were vaccinated for the first time more than half a year ago still have antibodies.

“Science really shows that the amount of antibodies decreases: immediately after vaccination, that decrease is faster, then more moderate.” But protection against serious forms, if a person does not have very serious comorbidities, it is still very good. Therefore, the ultimate goal of vaccination is achievable and does not disappear over time.

Yes, people can become infected with the coronavirus after vaccination and can spread it. In this case, the greatest risk is for the unvaccinated part of the people. In Lithuania, sadly, another 30 percent. adults are in the risk zone “- lamented V. Pečeliūnas.

The doctor noted that recently the coronavirus had reached the Santara clinics mainly from unvaccinated people.

“About 90 percent. – These numbers are slightly different, and unvaccinated patients, in particular, are hospitalized. But some days, quite a significant number of patients who have been vaccinated come to the Admissions Office. It’s just that their condition is usually quite good and they send them home for treatment, “explained the doctor.

According to him, half of those admitted to the Resuscitation Department in August are under 61 years of age. Among them, only a few had comorbidities.

“Even relatively healthy young people who do not have comorbidities, in some cases, regrettably fail and have to enter the intensive care unit. Those conditions that occur with a severe form of COVID-19 are truly unenviable, ”warned V. Pečeliūnas.

His doctor has noticed that those who are resuscitated with COVID-19 have a very significant reduction in their attitude towards coronavirus vaccines.

“It just came to our attention then. Usually that emotion has nothing to do with joy or ridicule. Usually those people are in a very bad situation and we can only sympathize with them.

I don’t really see any resentment from doctors when a person who has opposed vaccination becomes a supporter. That situation in a person is more dramatic than evoking some other emotion. We look at these people with more sympathy, “said the doctor.

V. Pečeliūnas said that the long-term consequences of COVID-19 in people with this disease are currently being actively studied.

“It is obvious that the consequences (damage to the functions of the lungs and other organs in the event of a serious illness) are obvious.

If a person has a serious form, there will be health consequences. The question is to what extent we can associate certain health disorders of those who have contracted a mild form with the disease.

To date, one of the most prominent evidence has been that people with COVID-19, regardless of the severity of their form, experience a drop in IQ at some points and hormonal fluctuations. A lot of data is coming in, but its universal acceptance is still in the works.

I believe that in the next six months we will be able to speak with more confidence about the long-term consequences. A lot of data is coming in right now, but what is unequivocal and safe, which may not come true, will show up in the future. The fact that the struggle is having consequences is beyond question, but the extent to which it will have consequences in the future may be more precise. In this case, only panic is spreading, “the doctor was in no rush to draw conclusions.

When asked about the benefits of booster shots, the doctor said: “As a result of preliminary research, that answer is very good. Most patients who have had at least one prior response have a very large increase in antibody levels. About 50 percent. those who have not responded positively to the vaccination cycle or who have not developed immunity, develops after the third dose. ‘

V. Pečeliūnas noted that last year was exceptional not only because of the coronavirus, but also because there were no cases of influenza during his entire career.

“The flu spreads much less than the fight. With all these measures, the flu was completely under control, the fight unfortunately was not.

But there are additional nuances. People didn’t get sick last year. Consequently, public immunity will be significantly weaker and conditions for the spread of the influenza virus will be significantly higher. Again, the restrictions are lowered. Definitely, especially at risk, for the elderly, I would recommend a flu shot this year as well. I will personally get vaccinated last year and also this year, ”said V. Pečeliūnas.

For those over 60 years of age or in an immunosuppressive state, the doctor also suggested vaccinating against pneumococcal infection: “For these people, pneumococci cause pneumonia, which can often be fatal. It is this vaccine that protects quite well against pneumococcal complications. So for older people, who have comorbidities that increase the risk of infectious diseases, I strongly recommend it. It is not essential for young and healthy people. “