<Anchor> In the
United States, there is a growing concern about the mutant virus occurring in the United States.
Meanwhile, infectious disease authority Dr. Pouch says the vaccine is still effective against mutant viruses.
He added that vaccinations for elementary and high school students will also begin within this year.
This is Kim Jong-won from New York.
<Reporter>
In New York following California, there are concerns that the vaccine may not be effective due to the discovery of a mutant virus. Revealed.
[Anthony Pouch/Director of Allergy and Infectious Disease Research Institute, National Medical Center of the United States: Even if mutations occur, vaccines are very important in preventing the spread of the virus.
If you follow public quarantine procedures and get vaccinated, the mutant virus will also be less effective.]
Dr. Pouch said that the vaccination effect is still acceptable, saying that data is being collected and analyzed to determine how less effective the vaccine is.
Dr. Pouch emphasized that both Pfizer, Modena, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, which are currently approved for use in the United States, are all effective, recommending that you get the vaccine as soon as possible, regardless of type, if you can.
On the other hand, it is predicted that elementary school students will be able to vaccinate from this winter and high school students from around the fall.
Currently, the vaccine is only licensed to people over the age of 16, and Dr. Pouch said he is collecting data on vaccinations for younger students.