There is (nor can there be) no evidence yet on the period of time for which the vaccine remains effective. Given that all viruses mutate constantly (as shown by recent events) and that scientists are already investigating possible tweaks needed to the current vaccines to address mutations so far, and given that the flu vaccine is administered annually because it changes to focus on the latest strains, it is highly likely that a covid vaccine is going to become a regular event. It would probably therefore be sensible to take appropriate safeguarding measures.
I don’t accept that. Yes Covid will mutate in the same way as any virus including flu, therefore the vaccine would have to change every year so it remains effective.
However, that shouldn’t mean there’s a need for restrictions. There isn’t with flu where we see 7,000 deaths a year on average and 20,000 in a bad winter.
All you’ll be doing is setting a precedent for there to be restrictions every year and this will never end. People won’t accept that, they’ve been told normality will come by spring/summer this year and that’s what should happen. We need normality, these damaging restrictions can’t go on forever.
We have to accept that Covid has become endemic, we’re not going to get to zero Covid and eradicate the virus, which from your logic seems to indicate that’s what must be achieved. As a society we tolerate thousands of flu deaths a year and a degree of pressure on our NHS all year round. With the Covid vaccine, people will still sadly die but not as many will become ill and therefore the pressure on the NHS becomes manageable and we learn to live with it, which is what we must do.
Good to see Matt Hancock dismissing Whitty’s comments about winter restrictions today.
www.the-scientist.com
