Call for calm Alberto Mantovani, immunologist and scientific director of Humanitas on the South African variant of Covid-19, B.1.1.529, which is alarming the whole world. “The variants will continue to emerge, 9 have emerged in the UK alone” and on the new South African variant “there is no cause for concern. For now we must be calm. We do not know if the vaccines cover it but the booster, the third dose , increases the breath of our immune response. I trust the vaccine will cover this too. “
Variants of the coronavirus, in the future we could predict possible mutations
by Daniele Banfi
Also for Giovanni Maga director of the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the National Research Council (Cnr-Igm) it is too early to predict how it will spread: “For now we know very little about this strain whose epidemiology we cannot predict or know if it will spread like the Alpha or Delta. However, viral RNA sequencing has shown that variant B.1.1.529 has over 30 mutations, many common to other known strains, but some, again at the spike protein level, have raised concern because they could suggest a greater ability to escape the body’s immune response “. The information available is still too limited, Maga specifies, so it will be necessary to wait for other scientific data, expected for the next two or three weeks, before launching any alarm.
Covid, because our immune system responds differently to infection and vaccine
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“What we can highlight is that it appears to have selected itself in people with a weaker immune response. In the South African region, the incidence of HIV is much higher than in most of the world. What is certain is that the vaccination rate in South Africa is is around 24 per cent, compared to the world average of 40 per cent, and 70-80 per cent or more in the more developed countries. The other aspect to underline is that the emergence of this variant represents further confirmation of the importance of an internationally extended immune shield “. “We must immunize a large part of the world population if we want to reduce the risk of new variants of concern – he concludes – and for now we can continue to maintain control of the emergency situation by continuing with the provisions that we know to be effective”.
Adolescents, another confirmation: the vaccine also prevents Delta infection
by Noemi Penna
Emerged in South Africa, the B.1.1.529 is quickly outclassing the Delta variant which in recent weeks has brought Europe to its knees and sent half the world‘s stock exchanges into red. According to initial data, this new variant would be capable of many mutations and therefore potentially resistant to antibodies and vaccines. The World Health Organization is evaluating the characteristics and dangers of this variant which is feared to be the worst ever identified. An expert meeting announced in Geneva del Technical Advisory Group. The spokesperson for the UN agency explained: “The goal is to clarify whether we are dealing with a variant of ‘interest’ or a variant of ‘concern’. But it will take several weeks to know what it potentially means in terms of contagiousness and the impact on diagnosis, therapies and vaccines “.
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The alarm was raised by African scientists who announced the detection of B.1.1.529 with “a very high number of mutations”, which is attributed to the “exponential” increase in infections in the country. The global reaction was immediate.
In Italy, the Minister of Health Roberto Speranza has signed an ordinance banning entry into Italy to anyone who has been in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini in the last 14 days. “Our scientists are hard at work studying the new variant B.1.1.529. In the meantime, let’s follow the road of maximum precaution “.
The same goes for Holland and the United Kingdom, which announced the closure of the borders to South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Botswana. The British Secretary of Health Sajid Javid stated that all flights from those countries will be suspended. Alarm in Israel, where a case of B.1.1.529 was identified on a person from Malawi, followed suit and after about six weeks in which the list was empty, it included seven ‘red countries’ nations of southern Africa.
Covid, in Israel it is the turn of the vaccine for children
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The authorities have barred entry to travelers from South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia and Eswatini since the beginning. The decision was made by the premier Naftali Bennett, in agreement with health experts, who have promised to continue monitoring the situation. The Japanese government has also decided to tighten border controls for visitors from South Africa and five other African countries. The news agency has also announced Strengthened controls by India, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.
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