The European Agency for Infectious Diseases is closely monitoring the new variant found in India. The agency estimates that updated coronavirus vaccines will be available at the end of autumn.
STOCKHOLM The number of coronavirus infections has increased rapidly in Europe in recent weeks. The number of confirmed infections has increased over the past five to six weeks in all age groups, says the EU’s infectious disease agency ECDC.
– Right now a new corona wave is spreading in Europe, says the corresponding expert Agoritsa Baka From ECDC to .
The agency estimates that the increase in the number of infections will continue for a few more weeks.
The ongoing corona wave is caused by the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of omicron, which penetrate the infected disease and the protection provided by the vaccine.
The ECDC agency in Stockholm is currently collecting and evaluating data on the new virus variant as well. It is called Centauri or BA.2.75.
The variant found in India has already spread to at least 15 countries, including Denmark, Germany and Great Britain.
– The mutation has new attachment points, and it has been found to spread very quickly, Baka says in a phone interview to .
ECDC has classified the variant as a variant line under enhanced surveillance.
– There is a lot of talk about this virus variant and many people think that this will be the next corona virus. However, we don’t know enough about it yet, says Baka.
– We have analyzed the data from India, but the country has changed its corona strategy and, for example, the number of tests has decreased.
Updated vaccine coming in late autumn
On Monday, the Infectious Diseases Agency gave recommendations to EU countries on urgent corona measures.
Among other things, countries should offer fourth vaccinations to everyone over 60 and those in risk groups.
Several pharmaceutical manufacturers have developed vaccines tailored against the omicron variant, which have been hoped for since early autumn. ECDC estimates that it will take a little longer to get them.
– It will take at least October-November before we get them, says Baka, the responsible expert.
Completion of vaccines, production and passing tests before marketing authorization take their own time.
– That’s why it’s important that risk groups or the elderly are not kept waiting, but that they are offered corona vaccines that are in use, Baka says.
The agency also urges member countries to prepare for the flu season and prepare for extensive testing.
– The biggest risk for autumn would be that there would still be a lot of coronavirus circulating in the population and at the same time there would also be more flu than usual, says Baka.
Influenza vaccines are already in production.
– If it happens that the vaccine works poorly against the influenza virus, as has happened in some years, then we would be in a serious situation. The burden on health care would be considerable.
Will we still see restrictions in Europe?
Many are wondering what everyday life is like and whether the restrictions will return if the corona situation worsens in the fall.
– We have been asked if there is a set of criteria for when restrictions or social closures are introduced. However, each country decides on these independently, ECDC’s corresponding expert Baka says.
He says that the corona situation can be improved a lot without severe restrictions.
– For example, the use of masks indoors and in public transport, vaccinations, remote work, ventilation and extensive testing, he lists.
The summer’s coronavirus situation has been a surprise to many, including experts, as infections have previously decreased in summer.
Many already thought that the worst was over.
However, according to Baka, the situation is significantly better than, for example, a year ago.
– There is a vaccine, antibodies and a lot of know-how about treatments, he says.
– But we don’t know if, for example, there will be a completely new variant in the fall. And it’s not necessarily nicer than the previous ones. We don’t know if the worst is over yet.
You can discuss the topic until Saturday evening, July 23. until 11 p.m.