2023-07-15 09:20:00
New COVID Vaccine Novavax To Be Produced Specifically To The XBB Strain Expected To Be Available Later This Year
The COVID vaccine is an important factor in the fight against the spread of COVID-19, especially nowadays that there are many mutations in COVID-19. Although it does not prevent infection 100%, it can help alleviate the symptoms of infection.
Most recently, Assoc. Chulalongkorn University has posted a message on Facebook by “Thira Woratanarat (Papa Mee Keen)” with a message about updating knowledge of COVID-19. According to the post, Novavax will produce a vaccine specific to the XBB strain, which is expected to be available in the last quarter of this year. The Novavax vaccine is a protein-based vaccine.
Dr. Teera, a renowned medical expert, stated that even if someone has been infected before, they should still protect themselves. A team from Germany published a study in the medical scientific journal Frontiers in Immunology on July 13, 2023, which found that in subjects who had received at least two previous doses of vaccine, the resulting plasma antibody levels were lower when infected with the Omicron substrain BA.5 compared to previous strains such as Delta and Omicron BA.1. This finding raises concerns about the previously believed notion that being infected would increase immunity and protect against future infections for several months.
Therefore, individuals who have previously been infected with the BA.5 strain are at risk of reinfection if they are not protected. It is important to emphasize the importance of defensive behavior, wearing masks, and avoiding close contact with others without protection. Dr. Teera also highlighted that Long COVID is the third leading cause of neurological illness in America, as reported by American media FOX32. The results of a Northwestern Medicine study tracking approximately 1,800 infections from 2020-2022 showed that the incidence rate of Long COVID is as high as 1 in 3, contradicting the WHO’s indication of about 10% and the US CDC’s estimate of about 1 in 5. However, detailed study results are yet to be released.
In conclusion, the production of a Novavax vaccine specifically targeting the XBB strain is a significant development in the ongoing battle against COVID-19. It is crucial for individuals, even those previously infected, to continue protecting themselves and following preventive measures to reduce the risk of reinfection. Additionally, the increasing prevalence of Long COVID underscores the need for further research and understanding of the long-term effects of the virus.
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