Why Vaccinated Individuals in China Are Getting Infected Again: Insights from a Virologist
Explore the reasons behind the resurgence of COVID-19 infections among vaccinated people in China, the role of vaccine quality, and what it means for global health.
The emergence of a new Omicron subvariant has triggered the largest COVID-19 outbreak in China since the pandemic began. Despite this, medical experts believe this strain poses minimal risk to people outside the region.
The global scientific community is closely monitoring a concerning new subvariant that originated in eastern China. Known as the 'stealth Omicron,' this variant is highly contagious, infecting even those who have recovered from previous Omicron infections or have been vaccinated. Experts attribute this to a unique set of mutations allowing the virus to evade antibodies developed from prior exposure to the original Omicron strain.
For the first time in over a year and a half, China has reinstated strict anti-COVID measures and lockdown protocols. Daily case numbers continue to rise by more than a thousand, with local media reporting several fatalities.
"New variants will continue to emerge until widespread infections subside, effectively marking the end of the pandemic. This is a statistical reality: the higher the number of infections in a region, country, or worldwide, the greater the chance of new mutated variants appearing," explains Dr. Alexey Agranovsky, virologist and Doctor of Biological Sciences.
According to Dr. Agranovsky, the root cause lies in the substandard quality of vaccines used locally. More specifically, these vaccines show limited effectiveness against highly transmissible variants.
"China has a relatively high vaccination rate, but the vaccines administered are less effective locally produced formulations. Multiple vaccines are in use, but none are highly potent. This environment allows new variants to spread more easily. However, I do not believe this presents a significant threat to other countries, including the United States," he added.
Most healthcare professionals in the U.S. consider it premature to declare a new COVID wave domestically. A localized spring outbreak may occur, but it is more likely linked to weakened immunity in individuals prone to seasonal allergies rather than the emergence of new variants.
To mitigate risks during allergy seasons, experts recommend timely vaccination or booster shots to minimize adverse effects. Currently, vaccines such as Sputnik V and Sputnik Light are regarded as some of the most effective options available.
"The allergy season, especially in early May, affects approximately 20-30% of the population in cities like Moscow. Symptoms often overlap with those of COVID-19," warns Alexander Chuchalin, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
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