Is vaccine effective against the new Covid 19 variant

After a lull of almost three years, Covid 19 has raised its head again, and while there is no need to panic yet, some worrying statistics have been coming to the fore.Covid 19, which has been seeing a surge of cases in Singapore and Hong Kong, has made its way to India as well.

According to news agency PTI, two Covid patients, one of them minor, passed away in Mumbai last week.

Both the patients were suffering from comorbidities along with Covid-19, that severely compromised their immunity. Out of the two, one patient was a minor, (14) who was suffering from kidney failure due to nephrotic syndrome. The other, (54) was a cancer patient. TheBrihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has said that though the city has been seeing a gradual rise in cases, the illness for now remains an endemic ( a condition regularly found in a particular place or among a particular group of people and difficult to get rid of), and that there is no need to panic.

The resurgence of Covid 19 - what do we know so far

According to the "Ministry of Health, Singapore", the new variant is called LF.7 and NB.1.8 (both descendants of the JN.1 variant), and are the main COVID-19 variant circulating in Singapore, together accounting for more than two-thirds of locally sequenced cases.

Symptoms associated with the current wave include cough, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, brain fog, and conjunctivitis. These symptoms are generally mild, but individuals are encouraged to monitor their health and seek medical attention if necessary.

Vaccine still remains your best bet

To mitigate the spread, the Ministry of Health recommends that high-risk groups, such as the elderly and immunocompromised, receive booster vaccinations. Additionally, the public is advised to practice standard precautions, including mask-wearing in crowded places, regular handwashing, and staying home when unwell.

Why the sudden wave?

Experts attribute the surge mainly to waning immunity in the population. Over time, protection from previous infections or vaccinations decreases, allowing the virus to spread more easily.

This is especially true for high-risk groups such as the elderly, immunocompromised individuals, and those with underlying health conditions.

How Can You Protect Yourself?

Get vaccinated: Vaccines continue to protect against severe illness.Wear masks in crowded or indoor places: Using masks in high-risk settings are important. This reduces the chance of catching or spreading the virus.Practice good hand hygiene: Wash hands regularly with soap or use sanitizer.Avoid close contact with sick people: If you feel unwell, stay home and seek medical advice.Stay informed: Follow updates from reliable health authorities about local COVID-19 trends and guidelines.