English Experts: "More Than One? Delaying the Second Dose Is Self-Defeating"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Concerns are growing in the UK, which is set to fully lift social distancing measures next month, as the India-origin variant is rapidly spreading.

The New York Times reported on the 25th that "UK experts believe that the complete lifting of social distancing depends on how much the second-dose vaccination rate can be increased within weeks."

Public Health England (PHE) recently announced that two doses of AstraZeneca (AZ) and Pfizer vaccines provide 88% and 60% effectiveness, respectively, against the India-origin variant.

However, if only one dose is administered, the effectiveness of these vaccines against the India-origin variant drops to 34%. For this reason, voices emphasizing the importance of the second dose to prevent the spread of the India-origin variant are increasing.

The problem is that the UK government is delaying the timing of the second dose of AZ, Pfizer, and Moderna vaccines beyond the previously recommended schedule to vaccinate more citizens with at least one dose.

Currently, the majority of the UK population has received only one dose. Out of the 66.8 million population, 38 million have received the first dose, and 15 million are waiting for their second dose.

There are also concerns that even if vaccine supply increases, the India-origin variant could spread further if the number of citizens who have not completed vaccination rises. Calls are growing to significantly shorten the interval between the second doses and to send more vaccines to areas where the India-origin variant is spreading.

Simon Clarke, Associate Professor of Microbiology at the University of Reading, England, said about the UK's vaccine supply policy, "It could be a case of hoist with one's own petard." He added, "There is clear evidence showing that one dose is not as effective against the India-origin variant as two doses."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.