A new mutant virus "Omicron strain" has been confirmed in many countries and regions.
While it has gradually become apparent that the infectivity seems to be strong, there have been reports that the infection is mild, and there are also opinions from overseas that booster vaccination with existing vaccines is sufficiently effective.
As the infection spreads around the world, Japan is rushing to supply it for the third vaccination.
UK Corona infection per day Over 70,000 “Omicron strains” surge
"I've been lining up for 30 minutes. I think it's a good time to spend time with my older relatives before Christmas."
This is the story of a 24-year-old man who came to a vaccination center in London, England on the 14th to receive a booster vaccination.
Approximately 150 people lined up along the road to receive booster vaccinations as soon as possible at this center.
In the United Kingdom, the number of new coronavirus infections per day was 78,610 on the 15th, an increase of nearly 20,000 compared to the previous day.
The number of infected people per day exceeded about 68,000 in early January, the highest number ever.
A total of more than 10,000 people have been confirmed infected with the mutant virus Omicron strain, and it is estimated that about 60% of all infected people are infected in London.
Chief Medical Officer Whitty said at a press conference on the 15th that the infection of Omicron strains is "a really serious threat", saying that it is a "really serious threat". He pointed out that in some areas it is increasing.
He also expressed concern that after Christmas, the number of people infected with the Omicron strain and hospitalized could increase significantly, which could lead to a tight medical situation.
The UK government has stated that Omicron strains require booster vaccinations and will be given to all subjects over the age of 18 by the end of this month.
Volunteers and the military are also mobilizing to strengthen booster vaccinations and want to slow down the spread of the infection.
Reinforce sales of Korean restaurants
According to South Korean health officials, the number of new cases of coronavirus infection was 7622 on the 15th, the second highest ever, and the number of severely ill cases was 989, the highest ever.
In addition, 148 people have been confirmed to be infected with the mutant virus Omicron strain so far.
Following the spread of the infection, the South Korean government decided to tighten the regulations again, and announced the concrete contents at the countermeasures meeting on the morning of the 16th.
According to this,
▽ restaurants will be open until 9:00 pm, and
▽ the number of private gatherings excluding families living together will be limited to 4 people nationwide.
These measures will be taken from the 18th to the 2nd of next month.
In South Korea, the infection spread rapidly after the government embarked on deregulation last month, saying that vaccination had progressed, and on the 6th of this month, the deregulation was partially reviewed, but experts say that stronger measures are needed. It was pointed out.
"Omicron strain" confirmed to be infected by one female in Tokyo
On the other hand, infection with Omicron strain has been confirmed in Japan as well.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government announced on the 16th that a female in her twenties who had returned from overseas and was waiting at home was confirmed to be infected with the Omicron strain.
A woman in her twenties living in Tokyo was confirmed to be infected with the Omicron strain.
The woman arrived at Narita Airport from the United States on the 8th of this month and was negative in the quarantine test at the time of entry.
In the quarantine, a pledge that includes waiting at home for a certain period of time and not contacting other people is to be submitted, and the woman has a fever on the 9th, the day after returning to Japan, where she was waiting at home. It means that the symptom of.
After that, the infection of the new corona was found on the 13th of this month, and as a result of genome analysis at the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Health and Safety, the infection of the Omicron strain was confirmed on the 16th.
The capital is currently confirming that a passenger on the same aircraft as this woman is a close contact.
On the other hand, one man in his twenties who lived in Tokyo, where he met on the 8th of this month and the 9th of the following day, is a close contact.
According to the city, the male was confirmed to be infected with the new corona on the 15th, and is currently analyzing whether it is an Omicron strain.
A total of 10 people, including 3 of this man's family and 7 colleagues at work, are close contacts.
In addition, the man was going to see the semi-final match of the Soccer Emperor's Cup held at Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium on the 12th of this month, so the city was watching about 80 spectators nearby. Is contacted through the local health center and encouraged to undergo an examination.
Kansai Quarantine Station staff infected The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare investigates infection routes, etc.
It was confirmed that the staff of the quarantine station at Kansai Airport was infected with the mutant virus "Omicron strain" of the new coronavirus.
This is the first time that an infection has been confirmed for quarantine station personnel.
According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the infection with the Omicron strain was confirmed by the Kansai Airport Quarantine Station staff, who tested positive for the new coronavirus on the 13th of this month.
As a result of genetic testing, infection with the Omicron strain was confirmed on the 16th, and he is currently hospitalized at a medical institution.
This is the first time that an infection has been confirmed for quarantine station personnel.
In addition, six people were identified as close contacts in the health center survey, and all of them are related to the workplace, which means that they are all in the waiting facility.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare dispatches epidemiological investigation experts to the site to investigate the infection route in detail.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare says, "We will take thorough infection control measures and strive to prevent recurrence."
By the 15th, the 32 people who had been confirmed to be infected with the Omicron strain in Japan were either ▽ positive reactions in the tests received at the quarantine station or waiting facility at the airport, or ▽ their close contacts.
This is the first time that it has been confirmed by a person who was subject to normal health observation after entering Japan, such as a woman in Tokyo, or a person who has not recently traveled abroad, such as a staff member of the quarantine station at Kansai Airport.
Vaccine booster “high enough effect”
As the infection of the Omicron strain spreads, Dr. Fauci, chief medical adviser of the U.S. government, said on the 15th that the effect of the vaccine against the Omicron strain of the mutant virus will be sufficiently enhanced by the booster vaccination of the currently used vaccine. There is no need to inoculate a new vaccine corresponding to this. "
According to this, the new coronavirus vaccines of Pfizer and Moderna currently in use are said to be significantly less effective in preventing infection and aggravation of Omicron strains even after two inoculations are completed.
On the other hand, as a result of several initial studies, "it has been shown that the effect of the neutralizing antibody that suppresses the action of the virus is significantly increased even for the Omicron strain by the third booster inoculation." I did.
On that basis, he said that the vaccine corresponding to the Omicron strain, which Pfizer and Moderna have announced to develop, "at this point, it is not necessary to inoculate a new vaccine corresponding to the mutant virus", and it is being used by the public again. I called for a booster vaccination.
To the third booster inoculation
Japan is also preparing for booster vaccination.
Following Pfizer on the 16th, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare approved the use of the Moderna vaccine for the third vaccination for people over the age of 18.
In the third dose, half the amount up to the second dose will be inoculated, and the period will be from the second dose to 6 months or later.
▽ In addition to occupational vaccinations starting in March next year, ▽ Policy to promote "alternate vaccination" using vaccines from different manufacturers up to the second time, using individual vaccinations and large-scale vaccinations of local governments that used Pfizer vaccines so far is.
The third vaccination has started for medical staff from this month, but the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has informed prefectures that if there is a stock of Moderna vaccine, it can be distributed to medical staff as well. did.
Alternate vaccination is expected to begin on the 17th at some medical institutions.
About "alternate vaccination" The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare wants to be able to choose between Pfizer and Moderna when booking a third vaccination.
The medical institutions that inoculate and the venues for mass inoculation are announced on the homepage etc. for each municipality, but the local government clearly indicates where and which vaccine can be inoculated, and then select the inoculation place. It means that we are assuming a method such as making a reservation.
However, the supply schedule of Pfizer's vaccine has not been shown, and the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare sees that there is a possibility of a temporary shortage, and if there are many applicants for Pfizer, there are cases where it is necessary to wait for vaccination. It is expected to come.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has created a leaflet that describes the efficacy and safety of Moderna's vaccine, and will have it enclosed when sending vaccination tickets from the local government, eliminating resistance to alternate vaccination and delaying vaccination. I want to try not to.
Also, in the occupational inoculation, only the modelna vaccine is used as in the second time.
How effective is the alternate inoculation?
How effective is it when alternate vaccinations are given?
According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, in a study conducted in the United States on patients aged 18 years and older, the neutralizing antibody level on the 15th day after the third vaccination was 10.2 times higher than that before the vaccination when all three vaccinations were given. It means that it has risen to.
On the other hand, it is said that the neutralizing antibody level increased about 31.7 times when the person who had been vaccinated with Pfizer up to the second time was vaccinated with Moderna the third time.
These are the data when the same amount is inoculated three times, but in Japan, when the third inoculation is done with Moderna, it is supposed to be inoculated in half the amount up to the second inoculation.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare does not currently provide data on the effectiveness of the third dose of alternate inoculation.
President of Moderna Japan "Data will be announced next week"
Following the approval of the third vaccination of Moderna's vaccine, the president of the Japanese subsidiary said, "Three vaccinations" regarding the effect of the new corona mutant virus "Omicron strain", which is spreading worldwide. It is possible to raise the neutralizing antibody sufficiently, "he said, and said that he plans to release the data next week.
Last month, Moderna CEO Vansel said in an interview with the media that the effectiveness of the current vaccine is lower for Omicron strains than for traditional mutant viruses.
Under these circumstances, President Ranmi Suzuki of "Moderna Japan", a Japanese corporation, responded to an interview with NHK online on the 16th.
Among them, he said that he plans to release data on the effect of the third inoculation on the Omicron strain next week. It is possible to raise the neutralizing antibody sufficiently. "
He also stated that "it is important to be able to produce domestically, especially in an emergency such as a pandemic," and revealed that he is considering building a factory and producing in Japan.
US Novabax also applied for approval
Novabax, an American biotech company, has filed an application with the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare for approval of the new coronavirus vaccine.
If approved, the vaccine will be used, for example, for a third vaccination.
On the 16th, Novabax applied to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare for approval of the new coronavirus vaccine through Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, which handles domestic distribution.
This vaccine is different from the one used in Japan so far, it is a type of vaccine called "recombinant protein vaccine", and according to Novabax, about 90% of the effect of preventing the onset was confirmed in overseas clinical trials. is.
In addition, no serious symptoms were observed in a clinical trial conducted in 200 Japanese people over the age of 20 in Japan.
The control temperature is 2 to 8 degrees Celsius, and it can be stored in a normal refrigerator.
If the Novabax vaccine is approved, it is contracted to supply 150 million doses to Japan next year, and it will be produced at a factory in Yamaguchi Prefecture and used for the third inoculation in the future. ..
In Japan,
three vaccines
,
▽ Pfizer
▽ Moderna
▽ AstraZeneca, have been approved so far, and the
application stage is the
second company after ▽ American pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson.
Expert "It is important to boost immunity with the third vaccination"
Regarding the new corona mutant virus, "Omicron strain," Professor Tetsuya Matsumoto of the International University of Health and Welfare, who is familiar with infectious disease control, said, "Infection has been confirmed by quarantine, etc. In order to continue this strict measure, it is necessary to secure a place to retain the close contact, but it may not be enough if the infected person slips through and enters the country. There is also the possibility of changing the system or shortening the waiting period. The challenge is how long the current system can be continued. "
Regarding the effect of the vaccine, "As far as the situation in the United Kingdom is concerned, the infection is spreading even if many people are vaccinated. It is widespread that the effect of the vaccine is lower than that of the Delta strain. It can be said from the situation and experimental data. Unfortunately, it is quite difficult to counter the Omicron strain with the vaccine alone. "
On the other hand, it is said that the effect of preventing aggravation can be maintained to some extent, "I do not know when the sixth wave will come, and whether it is an Omicron strain or another mutant strain, but a vaccine that prevents infection after a certain period of time. It is important to raise immunity with the third vaccination and control the infection in society as a whole. "
And toward the year-end and New Year holidays, "There is no doubt that the frequency of contact between people will increase, such as many people moving and gathering to eat during the year-end and New Year holidays. That will be the next source of infection spread. There is a possibility that the number of infected people will increase little by little. I think that there are many people who can finally go home, but that is not a problem in itself. However, rather than doing something new, wearing a mask, ventilation I want you to thoroughly implement the infection control measures that you have been doing so far. "