The vaccination war against the mutant Covid-19 virus.
Mutations in viruses are common and expected and this makes the Covid-19 virus a non exclusion. As of July 2021 , there are four dominant variants of the virus spreading among global populations. Very evidently geographic separation results in genetically distinct variant. These are ;
1.The Alpha Variant-called the UK Variant and referred to as B.1.1.7. It is found in London and Kent.
2.The Beta Variant-called the South African Variant and referred to as B,1,351,
3.The Gamma Variant-called the Brazil Variant and referred to as P1
4.The Delta Variant-called the India Variant and referred to as B.1.617.2.
The authorized and recommended vaccines are
1.Pfizer BionTech- can be administered to people 12 years and older in 2 shots given 3 weeks apart.
2.Moderna-can be administered to people 18 years and older in 2 shots 4 weeks apart.
3. Johnson and Johnson's Janssen-can be administered to people 18 years and older in 1 shot.
4.Astrazeneca-can be administered to people 18 years and older in 2 shots 12 weeks apart.
5.Sputnik V vaccine- can be administered to people 18 years and above in 2 shots 3 weeks apart.
Since some of these mutations enable faster spread of the virus this leads to more infections. It is therefore necessary that vaccination efforts are intensified.
It is very important for researchers and scientists to expand the number of genetic sequencing studies so as to keep up with the Covid-19 virus variants.
People who have received any of the vaccines should be keen and continue with the safety precautions to reduce the risk of infection. They should also follow for changes in guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC).
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