Krasnodar, 22 September. Our today’s interviewee is Sergei Zotov, Head Physician of the Krasnodar City Specialised Infectious Hospital.
Q.: Do we still need to get vaccinated and revaccinated?
A.: I would not recommend anyone to tempt their fate. We still have to build up the required immune layer. Regretfully, the coronavirus antibodies are unstable, and to have them remained at sufficient level for a long while, we recommend to get vaccinated once every six months, despite the fact that the vaccination certificate is valid for a year.
Q.: As for influenza and pneumococcus, is it worthwhile vaccinating for them now?
A.: Coronavirus has ousted from our minds information about other diseases; people have forgotten about them, but they have not disappeared. Flu is also a virus, and it also mutates, and there are annual inoculations to fight it. I do recommend to get vaccinated for flu, too. The issue of pneumococcus infection also remains topical. This infection has always occupied a significant share among lung diseases. Most often, it affects little children and elderly people, whom I would strongly recommend to get vaccinated. Besides, the risk group consists of medical, transport workers and the military.
Q.: Does the vaccine protect from the new strains of coronavirus infection?
A.: The virus mutates constantly. This problem is followed by both international and national institutions. Our hospital also helps in this work – we supply samples, and thus we can trace the site and the time of appearance of the new mutation. At present, the existing vaccine covers all COVID-19 mutations. Now the scientists are perfecting the preparation to make it more efficient.
Q.: Why is only Sputnik V available in our hospitals?
A.: When the pandemic was beginning, the virus was studied insufficiently, which was why the preparations were produced in all directions and all technologies. However, it does not mean that the other vaccines do not work – just Sputnik V proved to be the most efficient, so all effort was hurled into its manufacture.
Q.: Many people are now waiting for the nasal vaccine. Has it arrived at our region yet?
A.: The nasal vaccine has been delivered to the Krasnodar region. We are hoping that it will show a similar efficiency. I think that Sputnik V together with the nasal vaccine will show excellent results.
Q.: At the height of the pandemic, we all were subject to tough regulations. What can you advise to the employers now?
A.: I am for the golden mean, for reasonable things. We have lived a certain phase, and got a big experience in the height of the pandemic. The decisions that were taken then were correct, because we were gaining in the experience of living under such conditions. It is another question what should be done now. We cannot bring the economy and the life on the whole to a halt. It is necessary to learn to live with COVID without going to extremes. We must find the golden mean, that is if your employee falls ill, let him stay at home – then again, many have learnt perfectly well how to work online. As for a concrete person, everyone must remember their civil responsibility – if you feel unwell, please stay at home and do not infect others.
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