Center them. Gamalei will test a vaccine with several strains of viruses
New developments
Research on the possible creation of a vaccine that will contain proteins of several strains at the same time, that is, it will be able to protect not from one specific viral disease, are going to be carried out at the Scientific Center. Gamalei, who developed the anti-coronavirus drugs Sputnik V and Sputnik Light. According to the director of the institution, Alexander Gintsburg, the first stage of clinical trials may take place early next year.
“This is a drug that will contain three, four or five different genetic variants of the S-protein in one vaccine,” the scientist told TASS.
If the tests are successful, it will be possible to talk about the creation of a so-called universal vaccine, which is intended to prevent influenza and coronavirus together, the specialist suggested.
“If we manage to combine several different particles of the S-proteins of the coronavirus, then instead of, say, several proteins of the coronavirus, several hemagglutinins of the influenza virus can be used. This is all possible,” Ginzburg emphasized.
Flu season
Last year, the epidemiological season of influenza faded into the background due to a number of restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, and thereby the spread of acute respiratory infections also decreased. Nevertheless, according to the former chief sanitary doctor of the Russian Federation, first deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on Education and Science Gennady Onishchenko, the incidence of influenza in the country could significantly increase in the coming autumn season.
In this regard, doctors recommend getting vaccinated against influenza, and first of all, schoolchildren and people with immunity to coronavirus should do this.
Rospotrebnadzor also gave appropriate recommendations to the regions on the situation with influenza and ARVI. From the decree of Anna Popova, the chief state sanitary doctor of the Russian Federation, it follows that in total, at least 60% of the population and at least 75% of the number of people from risk groups should be vaccinated against influenza. Despite the coronavirus, influenza also remains on the topical agenda of the Russian healthcare system.
As for influenza vaccines, the drugs updated for the new epidemiological season will be effective against five strains, which have all the conditions for the formation of an increase in the incidence, says Natalya Pshenichnaya, Deputy Director for Clinical and Analytical Work of the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor, who stressed the importance of not ignoring the influenza vaccine. despite the circulating coronavirus.
“Firstly, it has been established that simultaneous infection with the influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 leads to the development of more severe forms of respiratory infection and increases the risk of death. And secondly, according to the clinical picture, these two viral infections are often difficult to differentiate, which can lead to incorrect treatment tactics before laboratory confirmation of the diagnosis, which is especially dangerous for people with concomitant pathology. And now the most important thing is not to relax, “explained Pshenichnaya.
In particular, in early August, the Federal Biomedical Agency (FMBA) registered a new tetravalent vaccine that generates an immune response simultaneously against four topical strains. Its deliveries are expected in the fall, and in 2022 the use of the drug will be expanded to children aged 6 to 17 and people over 60.
The optimal period for vaccination against influenza, doctors call September – November, that is, before the start of the seasonal circulation of the virus. It is important to remember that the flu shot should be done at least a month after the person has been immunized against other viral infections, including coronavirus.
