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The immunization coordinator: We have a plan B.
From: Ebba ThornéusBy Fanny Westling
Published:
There are increasing reports of positive vaccine candidates.
But what if the virus has time to mutate, then a completely new vaccine is needed?
– It will be possible to update the vaccine. We have a plan B, says Swedish vaccine coordinator Richard Bergström.
Swedes can start getting vaccinated against covid-19 as early as January, if everything goes according to plan.
– I dare to say that I believe that all priorities have been vaccinated during the first semester of 2021, if everything, as I said, goes according to plan. And if all goes well, the masses can get the vaccine during the second part of 2021, Richard Bergström previously told Aftonbladet.
Photo: Claudio Bresciani / TT
The first vaccines against covid-19 are expected soon.
But at the same time that the horizon begins to be seen in the sky of the vaccine, several dark clouds have also been seen.
Killed millions of minks
On November 4, the Danish government decided to kill all minks in the country, around 15-17 million, after a mutated variant of the coronavirus was found among infected minks.
The virus has also been found in Sweden on mink farms in Blekinge.
But according to Richard Bergström, the next vaccines will be able to be adjusted in case of mutations.
– So far, it is the case that all the vaccines that have arrived so far are directed to the calls spike-proteinet, which binds to human cells. And that part hasn’t mutated yet, but it looks very well preserved. I have seen mutations in other parts of the virus, but if there are mutations, it is relatively easy to change with new technology and update the vaccine.
“Have a plan B”
Richard Bergström adds that at the end of next year, or the following year, we will also receive a vaccine that targets the entire virus.
– So we have suspenders and a belt. A plan B. So if the spike protein mutates, you can fix it by updating the vaccine or giving a vaccine that contains the whole virus, and you will get antibodies against different parts of the spike protein.
Photo: Stina Stjernkvist / TT
Richard Bergström, Swedish vaccine coordinator.
So you don’t have to start over?
– No, as I said, adjustments can be made and the production is such that it is quite fast compared to traditional vaccines. This is the case, for example, with seasonal flu, where we have three or four strains each year and the World Health Organization has to guess the edge of spring which they think will come in autumn so that we can produce vaccines that take a long time. to occur.
Lasts at least a year
– Here it is completely different, since you can change very quickly. Then you have to discuss what studies are required for each version, but right now it looks good and we haven’t seen any mutation in this binding part.
Will the vaccine provide lifelong protection against covid-19?
– It is possible, but not probable. We only have a few vaccines that are really effective throughout life, such as measles. Others must be recharged, such as the travel vaccine. Therefore, it is more likely that it will be necessary to amplify the effect of this.
– Some experts say it is at least a year. But it may be more years, we will simply see.
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