Vaccinated once, vaccinated twice, then the virus is locked out of your own body.
But Delta thwarted this dream.
The best solution so far: a third vaccination.
Munich - You are already quite insidious, SARS-CoV-2 and its various mutations *. Many people do not even notice that they have become infected, but can pass the coronavirus * on. And as if that didn't make the whole pandemic complicated enough, the troublemaker also seems to be successfully fighting the vaccination campaign that is gaining momentum around the world.
"We have to say goodbye to the fact that a fully vaccinated person does not transmit a virus," said Leif Erik Sander from the Charité Berlin in the
SZ
.
The vaccine researcher, who also took a seat at the federal press conference next to Health Minister Jens Spahn and the head of the Robert Koch Institute *, Lothar Wieler, is alluding to the Delta variant.
The mutation, which was initially detected in India, has long been responsible for the majority of infections in Germany.
Third corona vaccination makes sense: "Fully vaccinated people can become infected and pass on the virus"
Which is a big problem: Because the original type and all other known variants left only a small number of pathogens in the upper respiratory tract of vaccinated people when infected.
Therefore, the risk of infection was probably significantly reduced.
But now Sander says: "You have to assume that some completely vaccinated people can become infected, not get sick, but pass on the virus."
To counteract this, there is lively debate about a vaccination booster.
The pioneer for the third spade, especially for people from the risk groups, is Israel, which has already been warned by the World Health Organization (WHO) to use the available resources * in a more solidary manner.
After all, large parts of the world are still on dry land when it comes to corona vaccines.
Third corona vaccination makes sense: Protection against severe disease is apparently reduced
According to Sander, data from Israel *, which vaccinated a large part of the population at an early stage, would suggest that even vaccine protection against serious disease courses is declining.
Alarming.
Especially since the citizens who are particularly at risk were immunized months ago.
Sander therefore thinks a third vaccination is advisable.
He can also refer to a study from Germany.
Together with colleagues, the pulmonologist discovered that the immune system in older people declined shortly after the vaccination.
Third corona vaccination makes sense: "After four weeks hardly any antibodies in the blood"
A corona outbreak was examined in a nursing home in spring.
16 of the 20 residents were infected, but fortunately in most cases they only had mild symptoms.
However, the research team found terrifying results.
“Four weeks after the second vaccination, a large part of this group had barely measurable amounts of antibodies in their blood,” emphasizes Sander.
This is practically the first reaction force when an uninvited and health-endangering guest wants to spread out into the body.
Antibodies fight against infection.
All other defenses can only prevent a serious disease sale.
But then the virus is already in the body and can use this host to jump over to another.
Video: Donate corona vaccines or use them for refreshment?
Third corona vaccination makes sense: Refreshing probably possible with existing preparations
In the
SZ
, Christine Dahlke, research assistant in the Clinical Infection Immunology Department at the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, is in favor of a third vaccination.
Because it can be stated: “After a booster, however, the antibodies go up again.” And a triple vaccination is also quite common with other vaccinations.
Only the data available after that will show whether that is the end of it or whether certain sections of the population are facing a real vaccination marathon.
At least Sander thinks it is easy to use one of the previously available vaccines for the booster *.
A reduced dose might also be possible.
However, due to the lack of comparative data, this is only a guess. But one that should also be very well received by the WHO. Because Sander has understood the world's dilemma: "As a doctor, it is ethically very difficult to care for your own patients and to be on the safe side, while in many other parts of the world there is still a lack of basic care."
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