The new XBB 1.5 subvariant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has increased the number of COVID-19 infections, as at least 40 percent of new cases across the country are thanks to it, while on the East Coast represents 75 percent.
One of the characteristics of the XBB.1.5 subvariant is its strong transmissibility, however, according to experts, it is less likely to acquire a serious infection compared to other strains. Although they highlighted that the new subvariant has at least five mutations.
However, despite the increase in COVID-19 cases, vaccination rates are still very low in certain regions of the country.
"Unfortunately people are not getting vaccinated," said Ben Neuman, Head of Virology at the Global Health Research Complex, at a press conference organized by Ethnic Media Services in which experts met to discuss new variants of the disease caused by the SARS-CoV2 virus.
Neuman pointed out that the bivalent vaccine can protect against the XBB.1.5 subvariant, however, he commented on the need to update the vaccine strains in order to prevent the consequences of the disease.
“Each of us has a role, we have to apply the reinforcement of the vaccine against COVID-10”, he pointed out.
For his part, Oliver Brooks, medical director of Watts Healthcare, said that many people are not only refusing to apply the vaccine and boosters, but have also stopped using masks and following health recommendations to protect themselves from contracting COVID-19. .
"The more people are vaccinated, the less likely there are to be infected by the new variants," he said.
Brooks added that the vaccine is safe and effective and that "if you get vaccinated you are not only protecting yourself but also your community."
At the time, Jill Rosenthal, director of Public Health Policy at the Center for American Progress, commented that more research for the COVID-19 vaccine has not been invested in months, which has caused the country to be unprepared to treat against new strains and infections.
And is it without the American Rescue Plan? The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, also called the COVID-19 stimulus package or the American Rescue Plan enacted by President Joseph Biden in 2021? people without insurance will have to pay around $120 for vaccines, which will increase the lack of access to both vaccines and treatments against the disease caused by the SARS-CoV2 virus, as the price of treatments such as Paxlovid will skyrocket for the 2024.
"We need public funding," said Rosenthal, commenting on the need to ensure that the population receives tests, vaccines and treatments against COVID-19, as well as the importance of continuing research on the disease worldwide.
Finally, Sophia Tan, recently graduated from the University of California at Berkeley, with a double specialization in Data Science and Molecular and Cellular Biology, indicated the importance of not neglecting the health of people who are in prison and seeking to protect them. against COVID-19.
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