Dr. Gligic for Telegraf: Chinese vaccine is made the classic way and will protect against mutations

"A vaccine made from the whole virus is the only real and long-term protection," our prominent virologist reminded

As announced by Prime Minister Ana Brnabic, mass immunization of the population against coronavirus will begin in Serbia tomorrow.

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For now, the Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices (ALIMS) has issued a license for the use of two vaccines in our country - the Pfizer/Biontech one, and Sputnik V. As announced by Pavle Zelic from ALIMS, most likely by the end of the day, the Chinese vaccine produced by Sinopharm will be added to this list.

The first shipment of Sinopharm's vaccines arrived in Serbia on January 16. It is a vaccine that works on the principle of the particle taken from a killed coronavirus.

Its efficiency, according to the latest research, is between 80 and 86 percent. Unlike other coronavirus vaccines, the Chinese is made from coronavirus itself, more precisely from different variants taken from patients in Chinese hospitals. This vaccine "teaches" the immune system to make antibodies against coronavirus by exposing the body to dead parts of the virus, so there is no risk of a serious response by the body.

The Sinopharm vaccine is given in two doses 28 days apart, and studies have shown that it successfully triggers an immune system response in 99 percent of patients, without any serious side effects.

Our prominent virologist Dr. Ana Gligic also spoke positively about the Chinese vaccine produced by Sinopharm.

"The Chinese vaccine is made from the whole virus," Dr. Gligic told Telegraf. "However, the Chinese have already vaccinated a large number of people with the SinoVac vaccine, which was made on a carrier, like the Russian Sputnik V and the Oxford one. However, now, due to the evident mutation of the virus, the Chinese have made the Sinopharm vaccine from the whole virus, which will protect against mutations."

Dr. Gligic explains that when a vaccine is used that has a "piece" of the virus, then there is protection only from that piece.

"The Russians also developed such a vaccine. You now have both a 'killed vaccine' and a vaccine on a carrier. From the very beginning, I have been a supporter of classic vaccines which, firstly, give good protection, and secondly, immunity lasts for a long time. This vaccine protects not only from the virus that attacks, but also from other coronaviruses because it is made from the whole virus," the doctor points out.

She explained that a "killed vaccine" is much easier to make, while it takes years to develop a live, attenuated vaccine that can provide lifelong protection, because systematic and detailed trials concerning pregnant women, children and vulnerable groups are necessary.

(Telegraf.rs)