The opportunity of a fourth dose of a vaccine in opposition to Covid-19 can be mentioned in the direction of September, whereas it’s anticipated that discussions will begin in Might on the virus being classed as an endemic one, Professor of Microbiology/Molecular Virology on the College of Nicosia Medical Faculty, Dr Petros Karayiannis, informed CNA.
On the similar time, Dr Karayiannis, who can also be a member of the Well being Ministry’s Advisory Scientific Committee on coronavirus, stated that, for the time being, there’s uncertainty on the result of the Omicron variant, noting that Cyprus will proceed in the intervening time with warning and slight rest of measures.
Invited to touch upon the choice many international locations took to chill out restrictions amidst hope that the height of the Omicron wave has handed, he stated it’s a bit dangerous to proceed in Cyprus with “daring measures” like those different European international locations have taken. He identified that one should wait and see the impression, if any, of those relaxations in these international locations.
On whether or not Cyprus has achieved immunity by the excessive vaccination protection of the inhabitants but additionally the massive quantity of people that have had the virus, he stated, that to be ready to say there’s a degree of immunity locally, it relies on when somebody was vaccinated. He famous that “over time, the immunity we’re speaking about will slowly go away and that’s the reason will probably be essential to renew it every so often.”
Dr Karayiannis additionally confused that although the vaccination protection in Cyprus is excessive, the transmission of the virus can also be excessive. He defined that underneath these circumstances the virus can discover methods to mutate, including that “the scenario may be very fluid.”
Responding to a different query, he stated that, it appears, issues are headed in the direction of annual vaccinations in opposition to Covid-19 since it’s anticipated that dialogue on the matter will begin quickly.
On the potential of a fourth dose, the professor stated they’ve determined to attend till summer season since, for now, the variants that exist in Cyprus are usually not significantly harmful.
“We’ll wait till the summer season to see how issues prove and if one thing new emerges or relying on what occurs, choices can be made for the winter, which can also be what occurs with the flu,” he added.
He additionally stated that discussions about classing the virus as an endemic one will begin by Might, however this, nevertheless, will depend upon what is going to occur within the international locations the place the vaccination protection is low, but additionally within the international locations which have now relaxed their measures.
Requested to elucidate what the transition of a pandemic to an endemic means in apply, Professor Karayiannis reiterated that “this virus is right here to remain.” If the virus turns into an endemic one, he stated, will probably be in a type that won’t be so aggressive, however will make its presence at a time when it’s handy to transmit, often within the winter months, that means it won’t be transmitted repeatedly, like now that it afflicts the world year-round.