Fend off mutant strains such as "Ami kerong"! Experts call for "strengthening the needle" to hurry up!

At present, the "Aomi Kerong" mutant strain has spread in many countries and regions, and the pressure of "external prevention of import and internal prevention of rebound" in China continues to increase. Promoting COVID-19 vaccination remains an effective measure to prevent and control the epidemic.

Does the "booster needle" work? Safe? How to choose? Where to play? Let's listen to the answers of experts from the Sichuan Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

1. What is a "reinforcement needle"?

"Strengthening needle", also known as strengthening immunization, all kinds of immune prophylaxis after vaccination have a certain period of time, after completing the basic immunization after a certain period of time, the body's immunity gradually weakens, in order to make the body continue to maintain a strong immunity, it is necessary to carry out timely revaccination according to the immune characteristics of different vaccines, which is to strengthen immunity.

2. Why do we need to get the new crown virus vaccine "reinforcing injection"?

The best way to prevent COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. Judging from the research results at home and abroad, the completion of the whole process of vaccination against the new crown virus has achieved remarkable results in preventing severe diseases and reducing mortality. However, after a period of vaccination, the protective effect of the vaccine on some people may be weakened, and timely strengthening immunization can make the neutralizing antibodies that have been gradually reduced grow rapidly or rebound, resulting in a better protective effect.

3. Is the existing COVID-19 vaccine effective against the "Omikeron" mutant strain?

Xu Wenbo, director of the Institute of Viral Disease Prevention and Control of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, pointed out that "Omi Kerong" still belongs to the new crown virus, although its amino acid accumulation mutation, but the vaccine is still effective, can reduce the proportion of severe illness and death. At present, the global pandemic of the new crown pneumonia epidemic is still in the development stage, the "Omicron" mutant strain has further increased the uncertainty of the epidemic, the pressure of China's "foreign defense import" continues to increase, and the country has clearly pointed out that the new crown virus vaccination is still an effective means of epidemic prevention and control.

Enhanced immunization on the basis of existing vaccines is expected to retain better neutralization activity against the "Omi kerong" variant strain. In the face of the "Omikerong" mutant strain, vaccination with the new crown vaccine "reinforced needle" has become the choice of more and more countries.

We hereby appeal to everyone to give a "booster shot" as soon as possible if they meet the conditions for boosting immunization. Strengthen a needle and protect the upgrade!

4. Is it safe to inoculate the "reinforcing needle"?

Relevant experts said that combined with the research results of relevant companies on the "booster needle" of the new crown virus vaccine, it was found that the second or third injection of vaccination to strengthen immunity is still as safe as the first and second doses, and the neutralizing antibody will grow rapidly.

5. At this stage, what vaccines can be used to implement "booster needle" vaccination?

According to the progress of the research and development of the new crown virus vaccine and the research and demonstration of relevant departments, the vaccines that can be used to implement enhanced immunization are Sinopharm Zhongsheng Beijing Company (including Chengdu Institute, Lanzhou Institute and Changchun Institute), Beijing Kexing Company, Sinopharm Zhongsheng Wuhan Company inactivated vaccine and Tianjin CanSino Company's adenovirus vector vaccine.

6. At present, how is the age range of people who implement the "booster needle" vaccination of the new crown virus vaccine?

According to the needs of epidemic prevention and control, intensive immunization will be implemented in people aged 18 years and above who have been vaccinated with the above vaccines for 6 months.

7. How long is the interval between the full immunization of the new crown virus vaccine and can be "strengthened injection"?

At this stage, enhanced immunization is implemented 6 months after the completion of vaccination. That is, after the second dose of the new crown virus inactivated vaccine, an interval of 6 months is generally required before the vaccination of booster doses can be carried out. Booster immunization is carried out 6 months after adenovirus vector vaccination.

8. When receiving the "booster injection", how to choose the type of vaccine?

At this stage, booster immunization is carried out using the original vaccine that has been administered. Among them, people who have completed two doses of vaccination using the same inactivated covid-19 vaccine should, in principle, use the original inactivated vaccine for 1 dose booster; for those who have completed two doses of vaccination with different inactivated vaccines, in principle, priority will be given to using the same vaccine as the 2nd dose of inactivated vaccine for 1 dose of enhanced immunization, and if the second dose of the same vaccine cannot continue to be supplied, the same vaccine as the 1st dose of inactivated vaccine can be used for 1 dose of enhanced immunization;

People vaccinated with adenovirus vectors are immunized with the original vaccine.

9. Is there a charge for vaccination of "booster injection"?

Covid-19 vaccine enhancement immunization is still implemented in accordance with the policy of free vaccination for residents.

10. How to get the "booster injection" of the new crown vaccine? Where to play?

In principle, the strengthening of immunization of personnel in key positions who are at high risk of infection and ensuring the basic operation of society shall be organized and implemented by all relevant units; other groups may go to the vaccination unit designated by the jurisdiction to make an appointment for vaccination. Specific vaccination information in each region can be found in the official information released by the local health department or the CDC.

11. What are the precautions for vaccination of "strengthening needles"?

Before vaccination, according to the pre-vaccination voucher, confirm whether you have been fully vaccinated and complete the full vaccination for more than 6 months. When vaccinating, it is necessary to bring identity documents, vaccination vouchers, etc., and according to local prevention and control requirements, do a good job of personal protection, cooperate with on-site vaccination staff to inquire; need to inform the doctor of personal health conditions such as previous diseases and whether to use drugs in the near future.

After inoculation, stay for 30 minutes according to the regulations; keep the skin clean on the inoculation area and avoid scratching the inoculation site with your hands.