COVID-19 Journey and Future Pandemics
Translator
Editor
4 December 2023 13:49 WIB
The expert committee on COVID-19 vaccination (EC19V) recommended using the updated Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines. It assessed that the updated vaccines can provide a stronger immune response against current and emerging strains compared to older versions. The EC19V also recommends that an additional dose of the updated vaccine is administered around 1 year (and no earlier than 5 months) after the last dose.
Current studies suggest that COVID-19 vaccines might have protective effects on long covid. However, it needs more robust comparative observational studies and trials to determine the effectiveness of vaccines in preventing and treating long-term Covid. COVID-19 vaccines were also effective in the prevention of post-COVID conditions: 36.9% among those who received 2 doses of COVID-19 vaccine before COVID-19 infection and 68.7% among those who received 3 doses before COVID-19 infection.
What to Expect Next
The Covid-19 endemic is unclear and that seasonality is a possibility. Dr. Thomas, who is also a Professor of Medicine and Microbiology and Immunology at the State University of New York, mentioned that SARS-CoV-2 activity is expected to increase this autumn/ winter. Data showed that disease activity peaked between November and April and was similar to patterns seen for influenza, RSV, and other coronaviruses.
Besides, despite the success of vaccination and medication, Prof. Thomas admitted that they still need to work more in terms of the ability to detect when something new happens. He also asserted the importance of vaccination amid the Covid-19 endemic.
“Doctors and scientists need to learn to communicate better with the public and the general population about science and medicine and the importance of getting vaccinated, for example,” he said when met by Tempo after the symposium at Suntec Singapore Convention Centre on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
The devastating Covid-19 pandemic has changed people’s lives. Now that it has become endemic, the world is still expected to be prepared for possible future pandemics. When asked by Tempo what the next pandemic would possibly be, Prof. Stephen Thomas said, “I think we’re going to continue to have these problems, but hopefully not at this (COVID-19) scale.”
He elaborated that it is probably going to be in respiratory virus since it is easily transmitted, for example, avian influenza as some of the strains have very high death rates. “If you match up transmissibility with a high death rate, that’s gonna be a really tough situation. That’s what I’m really concerned about, flu, still.”
Regarding the medical and government collaboration in facing possible future pandemics, he said that the government can play a very prominent role in terms of setting a tone of importance. He believed that they could certainly bring financial resources and other resources to the discussion.
“No pharmaceutical or non-pharmaceutical intervention is perfect, but if we layer and bundle multiple good interventions, we can make meaningful impacts on the protection of individuals and communities,” Prof. Stephen Thomas remarked.
LAILA AFIFA
Editor's Choice: Experts Urge COVID-19 Treatment in the Endemic Age
