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COVID-19: What the new variants mean to vaccine development
Kenya is now the first East African country to report cases of the new Covid-19 variant, first seen in the UK. What do we know about these new variants and how will they affect the efficacy of the developed vaccines? CNBC Africa spoke to the Senior Virologist at WHO Regional office for Africa, DR. Nicksy Gumede-Moeletsi, for more.
Fri, 22 Jan 2021 15:37:11 GMT
Disclaimer: The following content is generated automatically by a GPT AI and may not be accurate. To verify the details, please watch the video
AI Generated Summary
- Emergence of new COVID-19 variant in Africa raises concerns about vaccine efficacy
- Scientific data shows high transmissibility of new variant, potentially leading to rapid spread
- Urgent need for equitable vaccine distribution in Africa to ensure timely immunization and prevent long-term consequences
Kenya has emerged as the first East African country to confirm cases of the new COVID-19 variant, which was first identified in the United Kingdom. This new variant has raised concerns globally about its impact on the efficacy of existing vaccines against the virus. To shed light on this critical issue, CNBC Africa had an exclusive interview with Dr. Nicksy Gumede-Moeletsi, a senior virologist at the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa. Dr. Gumede-Moeletsi emphasized that viruses naturally evolve over time, and the same is true for the COVID-19 virus. She explained that the new variant emerged due to continuous mutations in the original virus, with South Africa being the first country to report this mutation. The new variant has shown significant changes in the virus's protein, with around 23 mutations, 22 of which have resulted in substantial alterations. Scientific data shared by the South African scientific panel indicated that the new variant exhibits high transmissibility, potentially leading to a rapid spread of the virus. This has been observed in South African communities, where the new variant seems to be dominant in circulating cases. The increased transmissibility of the new variant has raised concerns about the effectiveness of existing vaccines. Dr. Gumede-Moeletsi highlighted that the scientific community is closely monitoring the situation to assess whether vaccines such as AstraZeneca and Pfizer will remain effective against the new variant. While no definitive data is available yet, ongoing studies are underway to determine the impact of the new variant on vaccine efficacy. She stressed the importance of continuous communication and collaboration among scientific groups to address any potential challenges. The timing of the emergence of the new variant coincides with a surge in COVID-19 cases across sub-Saharan Africa. Countries like Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa are grappling with a spike in infections, raising concerns about healthcare systems' capacity to handle the surge. Dr. Gumede-Moeletsi emphasized the importance of adhering to public health measures, such as wearing masks and following safety protocols, to curb the spread of the virus. The interview also touched on the global distribution of vaccines and the need for equitable access to ensure that all countries, especially in Africa, have access to affordable and approved vaccines. Dr. Gumede-Moeletsi emphasized the importance of government support in facilitating vaccine distribution and ensuring that populations are immunized in a timely manner. She underscored the critical role of organizations like the World Health Organization in advocating for fair distribution of vaccines and urged African governments to prioritize the well-being of their populations. The long-term consequences of delayed immunization in Africa could be severe, as achieving herd immunity through vaccination is crucial in controlling and ultimately eradicating infectious diseases. Dr. Gumede-Moeletsi stressed the urgency of expediting vaccine rollout in Africa to protect the continent's population and prevent further spread of the virus. As the world races to combat the evolving threat of COVID-19, collaboration, coordination, and swift action are imperative to ensure that vaccines remain effective and accessible to all, especially in regions grappling with new variants and heightened transmission rates.
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