By Ralph Ellis
May 25, 2021 A study found that two doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech or the Astra/Zeneca vaccine protect against the COVID-19 variant first detected in India as well as the variant first found in the United Kingdom.
The study emphasized the need for two doses, saying one dose of the vaccines provided much less protection.
The Public Health England study looked at health data from 1,054 people of different ages and ethnicities in April and May.
The study said the Pfizer vaccine was 88% effective against the B.1.617.2 variant, first found in India, 2 weeks after the second dose. The Pfizer vaccine was 93% effective against the variant found in the U.K., known as B.1.1.7, two weeks after the second dose.
Michigan sees sharp increase in children hospitalized with COVID-19 this year
B.1.1.7 (U.K) variant is spreading faster among children and adults, health experts say
Published:
Updated:
Tags:
Pediatric COVID-19 hospitalization rates
increased 311% between Feb. 19 and April 20, 2021 in Michigan.
That’s according to data from the Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA). The data shows that the number of children hospitalized with severe COVID-19 symptoms hit a high of 70 this week.
That number is twice as many as were hospitalized during the last surge in November 2020. As of Thursday, April 22, the number of hospitalized pediatric patients in Michigan confirmed to have COVID-19 was 52, a slight decrease, per the state’s data.
More and more countries around the world are struggling with a new wave of infections, with an alarming increase in COVID-19 cases. Mostly these new surges are attributed to variants of SARS-CoV-2.
In lay terms, a variant refers to a virus genetically distinct from its original strain. The emergence of variants in the microbial world is nothing new, just think of “superbugs” such as MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), which is resistant to almost all the existing antibiotics.
How did the U.K., South Africa and Brazil variants emerge?
Genetic transformation of a virus occurs by mutation. Mutations emerge naturally in the microbial world. They are mistakes in the genetic code caused by copying processes in the cell. These mistakes are exploited by the virus to survive and establish itself, especially under adverse conditions.
How often will you need to get a COVID-19 vaccine or booster? Here s what a Michigan doc says
The number of new COVID-19 infections across the country is trending in the wrong direction. In just the past month, the U.S. has seen a 30% increase in new cases.
By: (WXYZ)
and last updated 2021-04-16 08:18:56-04
The number of new COVID-19 infections across the country is trending in the wrong direction. In just the past month, the U.S. has seen a 30% increase in new cases.
In Michigan, Beaumont Health System is sounding the alarm as hospital capacity reaches critical levels. At least 24 hospitals are already reporting they re at 90% capacity and some Beaumont hospitals are setting up outdoor tents for triage.