What you need to turn a COVID-19 pandemic into an endemic

In December 2019, a new coronavirus was first reported in Wuhan, China.¹ This was one of the first recorded cases of COVID-19, a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2.

More than two years have passed since the pandemic began, and vaccines have been developed that reduce mortality in all age groups.² There is even evidence that boosters have helped protect against variants such as Delta (B.1.617.2).^3,4 And Omicron (B.1.529).^Five

COVID-19 causes more than 70 million cases nationwide, accounting for about 20% of the world’s cases. Although there are options available in the event of hospitalization, vaccination is still the best way to prevent death as well as hospitalization.⁶

Below is a comparison of the vaccines currently available in the United States.⁷

As the pandemic continues and new variants emerge, new data is constantly emerging. The number of variants found may sound alarming, but it is becoming increasingly clear that current vaccinations available in the United States are still effective in preventing symptomatic infections. ..⁸

Response rates may vary with the new COVID-19 variant. Manufacturers should be consulted for up-to-date information, especially for doses in the pediatric population under 5 years of age.

Breakthrough infections are rare in vaccinated people and are about the same as in 1 in 100,000 people in a high-risk environment.⁹

For those who are experiencing a symptomatic infection, the most common symptoms are fever, cough, loss of smell, malaise, or headache. More specifically, it was observed that fully vaccinated individuals had a lower incidence of symptomatic infections than those who were not fully vaccinated.^Ten

One of the most frequently asked questions is what is needed to end a pandemic.

This is related to the theory proposed by scientists at the beginning of the pandemic. In order for COVID-19 to become endemic, there are several criteria that must be met. Immunity (severity of infection, adaptive immune response after infection), intervention (vaccination, treatment), seasonality, and viral interaction (protection between strains).^{11 11}

In short, getting vaccinated is one of the best preventive strategies. If you are not vaccinated, it is highly recommended to practice hand hygiene and physical distance if possible.

About the author

Jeong Yol Gakasan KimPh.D. candidate for the Feik School of Pharmacy in San Antonio, Texas.

Phuoc Anh (Anne) Nguyen, PharmD, MS, BCPSIs a pharmacy manager at the Houston Methodist Hospital and a clinical assistant department at the University of Houston School of Pharmacy in Houston, Texas...

References

1. Kumar A, Singh R, Kaur J, et al. From Wuhan to the World: COVID-19 Pandemic. Front cell infectious microorganisms.. 2021; 11:59 6201. Published March 30, 2021. doi: 10.3389 / fcimb.2021.596201
2. Xu S, Huang R, Sy LS, etc. COVID-19 Vaccination and Non-COVID-19 Death Risk-Seven Integrated Medical Institutions in the United States, December 14, 2020-July 31, 2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.. 2021; 70 (43): 1520-1524. Published October 29, 2021. doi: 10.15585 / mmwr.mm7043e2
3. BNT162b2 vaccine booster protection against Bar-On YM, Goldberg Y, Mandel M and other Israeli Covid-19. N Engl J Med.. 2021; 385 (15): 1393-1400. doi: 10.1056 / NEJMoa2114255
4. Mortality from Arbel R, Hammerman A, Sergienko R, et al. BNT162b2 vaccine booster and Covid-19. N Engl J Med.. 2021; 385 (26): 2413-2420. doi: 10.1056 / NEJMoa2115624
5. Collie S, Champion J, Moultrie H, Bekker LG, Gray G. Efficacy of BNT162b2 vaccine against South African omicron variants [published online ahead of print, 2021 Dec 29].. N Engl J Med.. 2021; NEJ Mc2119270. doi: 10.1056 / NEJMc2119270
6. Tenforde MW, Patel MM, GindeAA, etc.Efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine to prevent hospitalization of Covid-19 in the United States [published online ahead of print, 2021 Aug 6].. Clinical infections.. 2021; ciab 687. doi: 10.1093 / cid / ciab687
7. Medical letter. COVID-19 vaccine comparison chart
8. Accorsi EK, Britton A, Fleming-Dutra KE, etc. Association of 3 doses of mRNACOVID-19 vaccine with symptomatic infections caused by SARS-CoV-2 omicrons and delta variants [published online ahead of print, 2022 Jan 21].. JAMA.. 2022; 10.1001 / jama.2022.0470. doi: 10.1001 / jama.2022.0470
9. Breakthrough infection of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine in Ledda C, Costantino C, Motta G, and other fully vaccinated health workers: a systematic review. Trop Med Infect Dis.. 2022; 7 (1): 9. Published January 13, 2022. doi: 10.3390 / otropicmed7010009
10. Risk Factors and Disease Profiles for Post-vaccination SARS-CoV-2 Infection in UK Users of Antonelli M, Penfold RS, Merino J, and Other COVID Symptom Research Apps: A Positive Community-Based Nested Case-Control Study. Lancet Infect Dis.. 2022; 22 (1): 43-55. Doi: 10.1016 / S1473-3099 (21) 00460-6
11. Does Sherman J, Galanti M.SARS-CoV-2 get endemic? Chemistry.. 2020; 370 (6516): 527-529. doi: 10.1126 / science.abe5960