Vaccination as an effective way to counteract the spread of coronavirus infection

In the Republic of Belarus, measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are organised at the state level.

An interdepartmental working group has been established to coordinate the actions of various departments in combating coronavirus. A plan of measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 has been developed and is being implemented at all levels of government.

The decision to carry out additional sanitary and anti-epidemic measures in certain regions of our country is made by local authorities depending on the epidemiological situation. Thus, based on this, in November 2020, a decision was made in all regions of the republic to introduce a regime for the use of respiratory protection means (masks) by the population.

As world practice has shown, the mask regime is an effective measure to curb the growth of COVID-19 incidence. We must all be aware of our responsibility for the people around us – both familiar and unfamiliar – and continue to wear masks where the probability of contracting coronavirus is highest.

To date, the prevention of infection and spread of respiratory viral infections includes a number of rules. It is necessary to:

regularly wash hands with soap or treat them with an antiseptic;

avoid close contact (less than 1 meter) with sick people who have a cough or high body temperature;

try not to touch your nose, mouth, and eyes with unwashed hands;

when coughing or sneezing, cover your nose and mouth with a disposable tissue or a bent elbow, followed by mandatory hand washing;

refrain from visiting crowded places.

Since the autumn of 2020, when scientists reported the emergence of a new, more contagious and lethal strain of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in the UK, mutations of the coronavirus have become a serious problem.

The number of new strains and the frequency of their occurrence will be greater, the smaller the number of vaccinated people in the world or in a specific country.

In our country, the vaccination of the population is carried out within the framework of the "National Action Plan for Vaccination against COVID-19 Infection in the Republic of Belarus for 2021-2022". First of all, the opportunity to get vaccinated against coronavirus was provided to medical and pharmaceutical workers, employees of the social sphere and education, as well as adults living in institutions with round-the-clock stay. The second priority group for vaccination includes those who have a high risk of severe COVID-19 (people aged 60 years and older, as well as individuals with chronic diseases) and infection compared to the rest of the population due to their professional activities (workers in trade, public catering, etc.).

At the same time, in order to curb the spread of infection and ensure equal access for all citizens to vaccination opportunities, the Government of our country has created conditions for all willing Belarusians to receive vaccination.

Currently, the following vaccines are available for vaccination in the Republic of Belarus:

Gam-COVID-Vac ("Sputnik V"), country of origin -
Russian Federation, final stage of production (primary
and secondary packaging) - RUP "Belmedpreparaty".

“Sputnik V” is the world’s first registered vaccine based on a well-studied human adenovirus vector platform. It is used in approximately 70 countries, home to about 40% of the global population. This vaccine was developed by the Federal State Budgetary Institution “N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (hereinafter referred to as the Gamaleya Center), which is considered a leading research institution in its field worldwide.

“Sputnik V” is one of three vaccines in the world (along with “Pfizer” and “Moderna”) with an efficacy exceeding 90%. The vaccine's efficacy of 91.6% is calculated based on data from 19,866 volunteers.

This particular vaccine is the primary one for vaccinating the population of our country. Vaccination points are operating in polyclinics, hospitals, and medical units. Additionally, since June 25, **additional vaccination points have been launched** in large shopping and entertainment centers in Minsk. As of July 1, there were 28 such points in the capital, and their number is constantly expanding. The population is provided with the opportunity to choose a vaccination location that is most convenient for them, which prevents large crowds in one place. The points allow for time-saving: no appointment is needed, and the vaccination itself is very quick. Moreover, the conditions for transporting, thawing, and administering the vaccine comply with all necessary requirements. Similar points will soon appear in other regions of our country.

In Belarus, mobile vaccination teams are also in operation. They vaccinate residents of remote areas, employees of enterprises and organizations, and patients who, for various reasons, cannot independently visit a stationary vaccination point, against COVID-19. Although, at present, Belarus lags behind most neighboring countries in terms of the proportion of the vaccinated population, the measures being taken provide grounds to expect an improvement in this situation in the future.

Furthermore, **our state has provided the opportunity for vaccination not only to Belarusians but also to citizens of other countries.** Thus, citizens of 73 states can visit Belarus visa-free for up to five days for COVID-19 vaccination. This is stipulated by Decree No. 251, signed on July 1, 2021, by the President of Belarus, A.G. Lukashenko.

Vaccination of foreign citizens against COVID-19 has been carried out on a paid basis since July 15 in medical organisations designated by the Ministry of Health.

Answers to the most frequently asked questions, concerns, and doubts regarding vaccination

It is important to understand that every person who refrains from vaccination has their own motives, arguments, or even concerns related to the COVID-19 vaccines developed. Let us focus in more detail on the most common ones, with the main emphasis on the Sputnik V vaccine as the most widespread and accessible in the Republic of Belarus.

"It's my business whether to get vaccinated or not. Let those who want to get vaccinated themselves, and leave me alone."

The pandemic itself will not disappear. For herd immunity against COVID-19, at least 60-70% of vaccinated people are needed. Herd immunity occurs when the majority of people stop contracting the virus. As a result, everyone is protected, including those who cannot be vaccinated due to contraindications.

One can wait for everyone to get sick, but this is fraught with a huge number of deaths and complications for those who have recovered. Moreover, those who have been sick once can get sick again. Unlike natural immunity, immunity after vaccination is not caused by the disease and does not involve complications from it. Without vaccines, we would still be contracting smallpox, rubella, polio, diphtheria, and other diseases.

"The vaccine was developed too quickly, and its side effects, especially long-term ones, are still not fully understood."

The Sputnik V vaccine is far from a new development by Russia's Gamaleya Centre. Before the pandemic, researchers had been preparing a vaccine against the Middle East respiratory syndrome virus for three years, an outbreak of which occurred in 2012-2013, and which also belongs to the coronavirus family. Therefore, when another coronavirus appeared, they had no doubts about how to create a new vaccine.

In general, human adenovirus-based vector vaccines, such as Sputnik V, are well-studied and have confirmed long-term safety. They have already been used to vaccinate people against Ebola fever. In addition to vaccines, human adenoviruses are used to make cancer drugs.

The results of the third phase of the Sputnik V trials have not revealed any long-term risks. Only 15% of those vaccinated experience side effects, of which 94% are mild: a short-term increase in temperature, pain at the injection site and in the muscles. These results have been published in the reputable medical journal "The Lancet". An independent study in Argentina and the UAE has also revealed no serious side effects of the vaccine. Brazil, Serbia and Hungary have also decided to vaccinate people with Sputnik V, which indicates confidence in the vaccine. In the Republic of San Marino, more than half of the population has been vaccinated with it.

"The coronavirus is constantly mutating, and new information about it is emerging, so there is no point in getting vaccinated - the vaccine may not be effective."

The effectiveness of various vaccines against new variants of COVID-19 is being closely monitored worldwide. According to the latest data, vaccines that protected against the original variants of SARS-CoV-2 remain effective against new strains, primarily "Alpha" (the British strain) and "Delta" (the Indian strain). The list of countries where the proportion of the population required for herd immunity has been vaccinated is growing, and vaccination everywhere is reducing the overall number of cases, even though new variants of the virus are often found in these countries. It is impossible to predict in advance how the vaccine will act on variants that appear in the future, but even if new strains partially evade immunity, the composition of vaccines can be updated. This is done, for example, every year with the flu vaccine.

One thing can be said for sure - in any case, neutralization of new virus strains by antibodies in the human body occurs, albeit more slowly than against the original Chinese variant (against which the vaccines were developed). At the same time, the virus is not neutralized at all in the bodies of unvaccinated people. The level of protection provided by vaccines is high enough for a person to either not get sick with new variants or to experience the illness much more mildly than an unvaccinated person.

"Even those who have been vaccinated against coronavirus still got sick, and some even ended up in the hospital. This means the vaccine is ineffective, so I won't get vaccinated."

“Sputnik V” is a two-component vaccine, just like most vaccines used worldwide. This means that vaccination with it is carried out in two stages. The second component is administered 21-90 days after the first dose. Three weeks after the second component is administered, the body develops immunity to coronavirus.

According to current data from the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, COVID-19 is registered in only 0.5% of people who have completed the full vaccination course. There are rare cases where vaccinated individuals do not develop immunity, but this can happen with any vaccine.

Among those who were vaccinated but still contracted coronavirus and were hospitalised, two-thirds received only the first component of the vaccine. A single component does not provide full protection. At the same time, according to the developers who collect data on the vaccine, there have been no cases of severe illness among those who received both doses of “Sputnik V”.

“In that case, why get vaccinated if I can still get sick?”

No vaccine provides 100% protection. For example, flu vaccines reduce the risk of seeking medical attention by 40-60%. Vaccination remains the only tool for combating severe viral diseases, as there are simply no cures for most of them. Given the efficacy of “Sputnik V” (91.6%), it reduces the likelihood of contracting coronavirus by tenfold, especially for people in risk groups (elderly and those with chronic diseases). If a vaccinated person does get sick, the probability of a severe course of the disease is reduced by 14 times.

Since the vaccine's effectiveness is not absolute, some people remain unprotected. This group includes, for example, some elderly individuals whose immune systems do not produce antibodies as actively, or patients with certain chronic diseases. However, the benefits of vaccination are still much more likely to be obtained than falling into the extremely small category of people who will be deprived of them.

“Tests showed that I have a large number of antibodies that will protect me from the virus, so I won't get vaccinated for now.”

According to the WHO, it is possible to get vaccinated against coronavirus at any antibody level. Their presence does not mean that the vaccine will cause harm. Most standard tests used in clinical settings cannot accurately determine an individual's immunity level. This does not mean they do not detect antibodies, but determining the immunity level can only be done in a scientific laboratory using specific laboratory tests that provide an accurate assessment of immunity levels.

"I do not trust Russian vaccines, and until there is an opportunity to get vaccinated with a Western vaccine, I will not get vaccinated."

"Sputnik V" is no worse than European or American vaccines. In the global ranking, it shares top positions with "Pfizer", "Moderna", "AstraZeneca", and others. It is a vaccine with transparent data, thoroughly studied and recognised by the scientific community. Concerns people may have about it may stem not from a distrust of the vaccine itself, but specifically from distrust of the Russian development – such an attitude is characteristic of some citizens. Other vaccines, just like "Sputnik V", were developed in an accelerated manner during the pandemic. They also have side effects. However, the risk of serious consequences from all vaccines is very low and far less likely than the consequences of contracting coronavirus infection.

"Sputnik V" is the primary vaccine for the vaccination campaign in our country. This is justified by the fact that "Sputnik V" is an effective vaccine, recognised in dozens of countries worldwide, which is purchased, produced locally, and continues to be studied by independent organisations in various states. It is also important to know that the WHO does not differentiate between vaccines available in different countries but urges people to get vaccinated with whatever is available.

"Let's assume that the Russian-produced "Sputnik V" is effective. But I do not trust the version of the vaccine produced in Belarus."

The "Sputnik V" vaccine produced in Belarus, using technology transferred from Russia, has undergone quality control by the developer – the Gamaleya Centre – and received the necessary laboratory confirmation. The manufactured product has proven to be completely identical to the original and has met all quality indicators. Moreover, a portion of vials from each batch produced in Belarus is tested at the Gamaleya Institute before being distributed to vaccination points and healthcare facilities.

"My immunity is too weak to also inject coronavirus into it."

Together with the vaccine, coronavirus does not enter the human body - this only happens when one gets infected naturally. An assessment of immunity can only be provided by a qualified immunologist based on specific tests of the immune system's performance indicators. If we are talking about immunodeficiency and immune system diseases, then the problem will be precisely that the vaccination may simply not work: antibodies will not be formed because a normal immune response will not occur. The vaccine itself is not a source of infection; it is only designed to prevent it.

"It is dangerous for elderly people and those with chronic diseases to get vaccinated."

According to Rospotrebnadzor, chronic diseases can prevent vaccination only during periods of exacerbation, although it is worth consulting a doctor in each specific case.

At the same time, according to O. Tkacheva, Director of the Russian Gerontological Scientific and Clinical Center, the vaccine is better tolerated precisely by elderly people: they less frequently experience fever and headache, and weakness in response to vaccination is less pronounced. The reaction to vaccination in the elderly is not as strong, but it is sufficient to develop immunity. In any case, old age itself is not a contraindication for vaccination.

"I am not sure if I have allergies or the initial stage of a cold - it is unclear when to get vaccinated in such cases."

According to the WHO, the expediency of vaccination should be decided during a consultation with a healthcare professional. At the same time, based on available data, to avoid adverse events, it is recommended to refrain from vaccination in case of past severe allergic reactions to any of the components of the COVID-19 vaccine or in case of active illness or symptoms of coronavirus. Nevertheless, vaccination is safe after the primary symptoms disappear. To completely dismiss doubts, one can visit an allergist and undergo tests for allergies, be firmly convinced of their absence, and get vaccinated against coronavirus without fear.

"An acquaintance doctor is dissuading me from getting vaccinated, and I trust his opinion."

A doctor is also human; they can make mistakes and may not possess all the information. It is possible they are relying on an earlier version of the Sputnik V instructions, which did not recommend vaccination for individuals with chronic diseases. Currently, the developer has gathered more data, and based on this, these individuals are now permitted to receive the vaccine. At the same time, it is important to remember that chronic diseases increase the risk of severe COVID-19 and the severity of consequences from the illness.

On the other hand, a doctor who recommends vaccination, in a sense, becomes responsible for any potential consequences. It is much easier not to recommend vaccination than to assume responsibility. Therefore, it is necessary to inquire about the doctor's reasoning when they advise against vaccination and, if there are doubts about their arguments, to consult with other specialists.

It is also possible that a doctor who does not recommend vaccination may personally be against all vaccinations. However, such a position is, under normal circumstances, harmless at best, but in a pandemic situation, it is highly dangerous and irresponsible.

If a person knows where to find verified information and scientific data, they will not ask acquaintances who are doctors, listen to frightening stories, but will find reliable data themselves. Unfortunately, not everyone does this: some lack the time to thoroughly understand the issue, while others are more inclined to believe various "authorities" than their own analytical abilities.

It is important to remember the most crucial point – the global medical community asserts that vaccination is necessary to overcome the pandemic. This is the only way to return to life without restrictions, avoiding numerous casualties and the collapse of the healthcare system (which will inevitably occur if the "natural" path to achieving herd immunity is chosen).

"They say the vaccine causes infertility, so I am against vaccination."

Those who make such statements should consider the basis for such claims. For instance, clinical trials of Sputnik V were conducted last autumn. Pregnant women were not included in the trial groups, and women who participated in the trials undertook to use contraceptives. These vaccines only became available for general public use in December 2020. It is now July. Pregnancy lasts nine months. To definitively claim that the vaccines cause infertility, it would be necessary for individuals vaccinated in January to subsequently attempt to conceive unsuccessfully, and then report this to the vaccine developer. The developer would then need to conduct studies to prove that this inability to conceive is specifically due to vaccination and not other causes. No such analysis has been conducted due to the absence of such reports. Children conceived in January and subsequent months of mass vaccination have not yet been born. At the same time, several hundred cases have already been documented where women received the vaccine during clinical trials while pregnant but unaware of their condition. To date, observations have not revealed an increased frequency of adverse events compared to pregnant women who were not vaccinated. Therefore, on June 25, 2021, the Ministry of Health of Russia amended the instructions for the use of the Sputnik V vaccine, removing pregnancy from the contraindications for vaccination.

In fact, claims of infertility and defects in newborns are demonstrably unfounded and false.

"The vaccine can alter DNA."

Various vaccines exist. Some are RNA-based, some use peptides, while others, such as Sputnik V, contain DNA. Sputnik works as follows: a harmless adenovirus, incapable of replication, enters some human cells. These cells begin to produce the S-protein of the coronavirus (but not the virus itself!), which enters the bloodstream, triggering an immune response that generates antibodies. Subsequently, the cellular immunity, which is developing concurrently, eliminates the cells producing the S-protein. No traces of the vaccine (other than immunity itself) remain.

The head of the Gamaleya Center, A. Ginzburg, also points out that the Sputnik V vaccine does not reproduce or multiply in the body, cannot integrate into DNA, and therefore does not affect heredity.

"I will be injected with a chip along with the vaccine."

Any vaccine is a product subject to a strict control system in all countries. If any foreign mechanical or biological inclusion were added to a vaccine, it would never pass the control system anywhere. Moreover, from a technical standpoint, it is impossible to include chips, including biological ones, in a coronavirus vaccine, as such chips do not even exist yet.

The myth that a microchip is injected along with the coronavirus vaccine was widely disseminated by foreign media. The pretext was a suggestion made by B. Gates in March 2020 that one day everyone would have a card with digitized medical data, including information about vaccinations received. In fact, detached from the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, some media outlets retroactively linked this statement to the vaccination campaign, which had not even begun at that time, thereby misinforming a huge number of people. In general, the infection situation in our country is under control, and there is currently no need to introduce mandatory COVID-19 vaccination. "God forbid. If such a situation arises, such a principle will certainly be introduced. Thank God, there is no such need yet," the Belarusian leader emphasized during his visit to the 2nd City Children's Clinical Hospital in Minsk on June 19, 2021.

At the same time, according to the Ministry of Health, the preliminary overall level of collective immunity (post-infectious and post-vaccination) in the country is currently insufficient to contain the circulation of the virus. Therefore, restrictive measures, recommendations for social distancing, and the use of respiratory protection (masks) will continue to be used to control the epidemiological situation.

Every Belarusian must remember that coronavirus exists, new strains are emerging, and this is an objective reality that we have found ourselves in and cannot change. The only thing we can influence is how we behave in this situation and what preventive measures we take.

The most effective preventive measure is vaccination. Despite the fact that the coronavirus pandemic has been ongoing for over a year and increasingly dangerous strains of the virus are appearing, not all Belarusians are in a hurry to get vaccinated against COVID-19. This is a very dangerous trend, as slow vaccination creates favourable conditions for the emergence and rapid spread of new, more contagious variants of the virus.

Undoubtedly, the decision on vaccination is made by each person individually or together with their attending physician, based on existing diseases and current health status. However, for the majority of citizens, vaccination remains the most effective way to protect themselves, their parents, friends, and colleagues from coronavirus infection. And only by all Belarusians understanding this fact will allow us to successfully overcome COVID-19 and return to normal life.

Materials prepared

by the Institute of Public Administration of the President of the Republic of Belarus

based on information from the Ministry of Health of the Republic

of Belarus, the Republican Center for Hygiene, Epidemiology and

Public Health, and materials from BelTA, "SB. Belarus Segodnya",

and internet sources