CPH POST has learned from some of its readers that infection with COVID-19 has not been a piece of cake this fall – especially among a handful who had not previously had the virus and were last vaccinated at the end of last year.
In their case, nine to 10 months passed between their third jab and contracting the virus, although the data strongly suggest that the vaccines’ effectiveness—both in giving the recipient immunity and reducing the chance of hospitalization—begins to wane after four to six months.
Anyway, latest data suggests that Omicron and its subvariants have drastically changed the game in terms of protection against COVID-19 – both among the vaccinated and newly infected. However, another recent study, conducted in Denmarksuggests that the vaccines better protect recipients against Long COVID.
5.8 million doses thrown away
Nevertheless, it may disturb the public how many vaccine doses in the Statens Serum Institut’s possession have become unusable after exceeding their expiry date, although it would be wrong to assume that they could have been used to protect them against the virus.
A total of 5.8 million doses, which cost the government between DKK 116 and 783 million, must be disposed of, it has been confirmed.
About 3.6 million of the total are Pfizer/BioNTech jabs that can only be used for primary vaccination: the first two jabs. While the remaining 2.2 million (Moderna) should have been updated to withstand new virus variants.
READ MORE: Over the top? Denmark will secure 22 million COVID-19 vaccines in 2022
Huge demand for boosters
In related news, there has been high demand for the latest booster shot, which has been available to vulnerable groups since late summer and to over-50s since October 1.
Already now, 89 percent of nursing home residents have received the shot. Interest in flu vaccines has also been high, to the extent that over 600,000 people over the age of 65 have been vaccinated against both COVID-19 and influenza – over half of the target group.
Meanwhile, the European Medicines Agency yesterday recommended that children can be vaccinated against COVID-19 when they turn six months old. Both Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna are suitable, it concluded.
READ MORE: Science compilation: Corona was never a big threat to children, study concludes
Source: The Nordic Page