As summer approaches, the new wave of the Covid-19 is inevitable … the seventh has already begun in France, and not surprisingly for specialists.

For the time being, if the wave carrying the BA.2.12.1, BA.4 and BA.5 variants does not seem particularly lethal, it should contaminate a large portion of the population, whether vaccinated or not. Already infected or not.

There are several explanations for this. First, the levels of antibodies in people who have been vaccinated have dropped significantly, leading to a several-month-old recall campaign. However, antibody levels have been shown to decrease sharply a few weeks after injection.

Vaccination and infection are poorly protected

In addition, vaccines that are already ineffective in omiciron are less effective than the original strain of the Sras-CoV-2 virus, even in newer variants. Recent studies have shown that there are variants BA.2.12.1, BA.4 and BA.5. Very large defensive escape Than previous versions. That is, they more easily escape the protection of natural antibodies obtained through infection, such as vaccines.

Therefore, it is not surprising to see an increase in the number of people getting vaccinated in this wave, which carries the subtypes BA.2.12.1, BA.4 and BA.5. Individuals who are already infected (whether vaccinated or not) are no longer highly immune to re-infection.

What hope?

These studies show that with each mutation, Sras-CoV-2 develops further into an increase in neutralization escape. A priority, so it is impossible to escape these BA.2.12.1, BA.4, and BA.5 waves, however, as this increases the risk of passing through South Africa.

Ultimately, the only hope to prevent the spread of the virus lies in the effectiveness of future updates to messenger RNA vaccines. Modena on Wednesday announced very good results from the second edition of the vaccine BA4 and BA.5. Currently being studied on a European scale for pre-fall marketing, this vaccine will not be released until the end of the 7th wave. It is hoped that this will be effective in the coming months, as well as the emerging BA4 and BA.5 variants.

Meanwhile, the most vulnerable are invited to be vaccinated with available vaccines, which, if not particularly effective in the spread of the virus, will remain the best stronghold against severe forms of the disease.