Immunologist warns about coronavirus: vaccination may be necessary before each season

According to A. Žvirblienė, he positively values ​​the vaccination of the country’s leaders and politicians.

“I am very much in favor of this measure and I hope that it will have a positive effect, because there have been all kinds of languages ​​in society, it is assumed that some people will get vaccinated with better vaccines and simpler people will have inferior vaccines. I believe that to dispel those myths, this act is correct and the Lithuanian people will not be overwhelmed by multiple doses of the vaccine, ”said the professor on the show.

When asked by the manager if it is possible to vaccinate two doses of the vaccine with vaccines from different manufacturers, A. Žvirblienė stated that it is recommended not to mix the vaccines yet, but according to her, this recommendation can be changed.

“It just came to our knowledge then.” It is likely that there are recommendations to change the manufacturer’s vaccines, because we know that against other infectious diseases, the same flu or tick-borne encephalitis, no one looks too much, so the next dose of the vaccine is necessarily from the same manufacturer “, compared the immunologist.

Can’t develop immunity after vaccination?

Responding to a question from the viewer, V. Usonis said that some people may not develop antibodies after the first dose of the vaccine.

“For that, two doses are vaccinated so that they have a long enough effect. (…) The second dose is given to ensure that those who do not develop antibodies after the first dose develop antibodies and other protective mechanisms ”, explained the VU professor.

A. Žvirblienė, in turn, emphasized that immunity in general, even after two doses of the vaccine, may not develop only in a small part of people.

“Because some people may not develop antibodies, in a very small percentage, this can happen for a variety of reasons. In clinical trials, the vast majority – more than 90%. vaccinated people have developed antibodies, “he said.

According to A. Žvirblienė, immunity may be more difficult to develop in older people with chronic diseases who take drugs that suppress the immune response.

“It just came to our attention then. So there is not much way to further excite that immune system because it is suppressed. These are the exceptional cases. That is why we say that if the spread of the virus in society could be stopped as much as possible “People who, for some reason, do not develop this immunity would be protected. Therefore, it is important to get vaccinated for those who can be vaccinated and for whom this immune response is effective,” said the VU professor.

However, V. Usonis emphasized that vaccination can often be recommended for people with chronic diseases.

“Perhaps there are more arguments for these people to get vaccinated, thinking that COVID-19 can cause many more problems with their problems. In any case, in case of doubt, it would be very useful to consult with the doctors who treat their underlying disease”, said the infectologist.

A systematic approach to the communication campaign is lacking.

The two doctors interviewed on the program made no secret of the need for the government to improve its current communication campaign on vaccines.

According to A. Žvirblienė, family doctors could provide more information about vaccines to patients, who would find additional material useful.

“We have been talking about communication problems for some time. I think that some kind of courses or some brief informative material would also be useful for family doctors. However, they are professionals and I think most would be very willing to explain those things,” he said. The teacher.

For his part, V. Usonis stated that he lacked a systematic approach to communication.

“We lack a systematic approach to the vaccination program in Lithuania. If the goal is to vaccinate 60 percent. For the Lithuanian population, this is the largest state program and it should have all the characteristic elements of the programs, both the strategy of the program as the named stages of program implementation, partners and many other things. In this joint systematic work great importance should be attached to coordinated professional information work, “said the VU professor.

The infectologist said she saw an explanatory video about vaccines created by a US health and communication specialist on the Internet.

“I am fascinated by the way communication professionals convey the material provided by medical professionals in a language that is very understandable and acceptable to everyone. I think it is time to do what has not been done so far, but this systematic, professional information campaign should appear in Lithuania as soon as possible ”, emphasized V. Usonis.

How often will you need to get vaccinated?

Later in the show, A. Žvirblienė, when asked who might need to be vaccinated for how long, said that it is difficult to predict this so far.

“If we think of the virus as seasonal and it seems like it is, it may be necessary to get vaccinated before each season. It is also important to be aware of the variants of the virus that are spreading. If there are problems that current vaccines do not protect very effectively against these variants, then manufacturers will develop adapted vaccines, “said the immunologist.

According to her, it is highly unlikely that two doses of the vaccine will be sufficient for life, especially since the virus is mutating and manufacturers are planning to develop new vaccines tailored to the strains.

“It is unlikely that we will receive two doses now and that it will be for life. That scenario is very unlikely,” emphasized A. Žvirblienė.

“Vaccines will adapt to existing and spreading variants of the virus – this is now the strategy.” “Is it possible to somehow model these future mutations and thus appear to avoid the virus? This is a question that is being discussed in the scientific community,” continued the researcher.

When asked what would happen if we had not developed coronavirus vaccines until now, A. Žvirblienė replied that then the prognoses would be extremely sad.

“Those predictions would be very sad, because if the virus spreads uncontrollably and the mortality from the virus in certain age groups is very high, then the death toll would not be in the thousands in Lithuania, but in the tens of thousands. Not even I would take a prediction because it would be a very bleak prediction. However, the vaccine is the only way out in this situation, “said the professor.