(Observation of the two sessions) Will booster immunization against the new crown vaccine become the norm?
China News Agency, Beijing, March 9 (Reporter Li Chun) Following the comprehensive promotion of "boost vaccination", Chinese officials have recently started a sequential booster immunization of "mixed" vaccines.
Will COVID-19 booster immunizations become the norm?
Do you need a fourth or fifth stitch?
... China's follow-up immunization strategy continues to receive attention.
Data map: Citizens receive the third booster shot of the new crown vaccine at the vaccination point.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Yu Jing
In the opinion of Zhu Tao, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and chief scientific officer of CanSino Biological Co., Ltd., it is too early to answer the above questions, because "every decision is determined by the risk-benefit analysis at that time".
He said that at present, people's understanding of the benefits of the new coronavirus vaccine is relatively clear.
China's deployment of sequential booster immunization is a rigorous decision based on full knowledge of trial data.
The so-called sequential inoculation of heterologous immunization is commonly known as "mixed fight".
Chinese officials have proposed that the target population who have completed the whole process of vaccination with the three inactivated vaccines can choose recombinant protein vaccines or adenovirus vector vaccines for sequential booster immunization.
Homologous or sequential booster immunizations, either.
Studies have shown that both homologous booster immunization and sequential booster immunization can further improve the immune effect.
Wang Huaqing, chief expert of the immunization program at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, previously pointed out at an official press conference that sequential immunization is a process of continuous improvement of immunization strategies and a decision based on scientific evidence.
Why does China carry out sequential vaccination at this time?
How safe and effective is this immunization strategy?
Shao Yiming, a member of the expert group for vaccine research and development of the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism Scientific Research Team of the State Council, previously pointed out that for some viruses that are highly variable and difficult to deal with, sequential immunization is often used.
According to domestic and foreign test data, the immunogenicity of the sequential immunization of the new coronavirus vaccine is good, the neutralizing antibody is 100% positive, and the antibody titer is improved, which can play a complementary role.
At the same time, the side effects were the same or lower than those of single use, and no additional side effects were seen.
The safety and efficacy of sequential immunization have been verified.
The development and use of vaccines is inseparable from the support of science and technology.
As early as the beginning of the outbreak, China has deployed five technical routes, namely inactivated vaccines, recombinant protein vaccines, adenovirus vector vaccines, nucleic acid vaccines (including mRNA and DNA vaccines), and attenuated influenza virus vector vaccines to simultaneously promote the new crown virus. Development of viral vaccines.
Data map: Medical staff are extracting "three-shot" doses of recombinant new coronavirus vaccine (CHO cells), ready to inoculate citizens who choose this vaccine.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Hou Yu
Relevant scientific research work is progressing smoothly at present, bringing assistance to epidemic prevention and control.
At the "Minister's Channel" of the Fifth Session of the 13th National People's Congress on March 8, Wang Zhigang, Minister of Science and Technology of China, pointed out that China already has 3 inactivated vaccines, 1 adenovirus vector vaccine, and 1 recombinant protein vaccine with conditions listed.
Positive progress has also been made in the research and development of mRNA vaccines and DNA vaccines, both of which have entered Phase III clinical trials.
Just on the 1st of this month, the State Drug Administration approved the conditional listing of the recombinant new coronavirus protein vaccine of Anhui Zhifeilong Kema Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
This is China's first approved domestically produced recombinant new coronavirus protein vaccine, adding an option for sequential booster immunizations.
Also expanding the anti-epidemic "arsenal" are new technology vaccines.
According to Wang Zhigang, the inhaled new coronavirus vaccine is being studied and is progressing smoothly.
This vaccine is an inhaled adenovirus vector vaccine developed by CanSino.
Zhu Tao said that this new type of administration vaccine showed better safety and antibody levels in clinical trials than the existing intramuscular injection vaccine, and the adverse reactions were significantly reduced. Antibody levels increased more than 10 times.
He also revealed that clinical trials of inhaled adenovirus vector vaccines were conducted under the condition of sequential vaccination.
With multiple technical routes and multiple vaccine reserves, the Chinese people do not have to worry about "whether the vaccine can be shot", but "whether it will be shot in the future" has become the concern of many people.
Given the decline in antibody levels that occur after a period of vaccination, and the continuous emergence of new variants of the new coronavirus, it is believed that receiving booster immunizations may become the norm for some time to come.
"Is it necessary to take the fourth and fifth injections after the 'strengthened injection'? This question is still a scientific question, and it will take time to answer." Gao Fu, member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and director of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, told the National People's Congress During an interview with a reporter from China News Agency, he said that the future vaccination strategy of the new crown vaccine will be comprehensively researched and judged according to the characteristics of the virus, the epidemic of the disease, and the characteristics of the vaccine.
Up to now, more than 3.16 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been reported in mainland China, with an overall vaccination rate of over 87%.
Gao Fu pointed out that herd immunity established through vaccination can prevent severe illness and prevent death.
"Now we still call on everyone to get a vaccine, especially the elderly and susceptible people with underlying diseases."
Zhu Tao also believes that booster immunization should be aimed at some key groups, including the elderly and high-risk groups with other underlying diseases.
The implementation of sequential booster immunization in China is a rigorous decision based on research data, which can play a complementary role between different mechanisms, bring more comprehensive and powerful protection, and achieve the effect of "one plus one is greater than two".
(over)