Chief State Sanitary Doctor of the Vitebsk Region – on vaccines, overcoming the fear of vaccination, and confronting the virus
"Sputnik V" is effective against new strains of coronavirus
Amid the ongoing rise in COVID-19 cases, we all bear equal responsibility for our health and the health of others. Social distancing, the use of personal respiratory protective equipment, regular ventilation, cleaning premises with disinfectants effective against viruses, and adherence to hand hygiene requirements are not whims. These are important components of our collective defense against the dangerous virus. We can only overcome it together. How responsibly is this issue being addressed in the northernmost region of the country, and how best to approach immunization, considering the onset of seasonal flu? Correspondent "R" asked Vladimir Sinkevich, Chief Sanitary Doctor of the Vitebsk Region, these and other questions.Vaccination is a crucial component of protection against COVID-19.
Active Approach
— A mass vaccination campaign against COVID-19 is currently underway in Belarus. How is it progressing in the Vitebsk Region? In which regions and among which population groups is it more active?— In the Vitebsk region, over 230,000 people have received the first dose of the vaccine. Of these, more than 180,000 residents have completed the full vaccination course. Geographically, vaccination is actively progressing in Sharkovshchyna, Chashniki, Shumilino districts, Orsha and Orsha district, where about 30 percent of the population is vaccinated. Professionally, healthcare workers and social service institution employees have approached this issue most responsibly. Eighty percent and 85 percent of employees in these services, respectively, have received two vaccine components. Currently, mass vaccination is being carried out in the region among individuals with a higher risk of infection due to their professional activities. These include workers in trade and public catering, household services, transport, cultural institutions, sports organizations, etc. Mobile vaccination teams are working to vaccinate employees outside healthcare facilities. Students of vocational education institutions and universities are actively getting vaccinated with Sputnik Light.
— Vaccination has been an important element of population protection against many terrible diseases for 200 years. How much can a COVID-19 vaccine guarantee protection?
— Preventive vaccination has led to significant success in preventing a number of infectious diseases worldwide. Smallpox and two of the three wild strains of the poliovirus have been eradicated. The number of cases of measles, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, generalized forms of tuberculosis, and acute viral hepatitis in children, among other infections, has significantly decreased. They are now prevented through vaccinations. As you can see, the most effective way to control a virus is vaccination. It forms individual protection for the vaccinated person, prevents the onset of the disease, its severe course, and unfavorable outcomes. The more people have immunity to the virus, the faster its active circulation among people will decrease.
— How safe are the vaccines registered in Belarus for use?
— Each of them undergoes all necessary safety and efficacy tests.No serious adverse events were registered. The Sputnik V vaccine is effective against new strains of coronavirus. Its epidemiological effectiveness against the Delta strain is 83.1 percent, with a sixfold reduction in the risk of infection. The effectiveness in preventing hospitalization is 94.4 percent, with an 18-fold reduction in the risk of hospitalization.
— Vaccination has been an important element of population protection against many terrible diseases for 200 years. How much can a COVID-19 vaccine guarantee protection?
— Preventive vaccination has led to significant success in preventing a number of infectious diseases worldwide. Smallpox and two of the three wild strains of the poliovirus have been eradicated. The number of cases of measles, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, generalized forms of tuberculosis, and acute viral hepatitis in children, among other infections, has significantly decreased. They are now prevented through vaccinations. As you can see, the most effective way to control a virus is vaccination. It forms individual protection for the vaccinated person, prevents the onset of the disease, its severe course, and unfavorable outcomes. The more people have immunity to the virus, the faster its active circulation among people will decrease.
— How safe are the vaccines registered in Belarus for use?
— Each of them undergoes all necessary safety and efficacy tests.No serious adverse events were registered. The Sputnik V vaccine is effective against new strains of coronavirus. Its epidemiological effectiveness against the Delta strain is 83.1 percent, with a sixfold reduction in the risk of infection. The effectiveness in preventing hospitalization is 94.4 percent, with an 18-fold reduction in the risk of hospitalization.
Various vaccines are used for population immunization in Belarus.
— During these autumn months, vaccination against influenza is also being carried out. In what sequence and with what interval is it best to get these vaccinations?
— As last year, in the 2021/2022 epidemic season, joint circulation of different viruses is expected, and the risk of simultaneous infection with several is high. First and foremost, the combination of coronavirus infection COVID-19 and seasonal flu in a person poses a danger. These infections are dangerous for any of us. To protect yourself correctly, you should first get vaccinated against coronavirus infection. At the patient's request and in the absence of contraindications, it is possible to use the COVID-19 vaccine and the flu vaccine together.
— In your opinion, how can the fear of vaccination be overcome for those who are afraid to get vaccinated?
— Familiarize yourself with information about the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination (in the Vitebsk region, it has been carried out since January 2021), its effectiveness and safety, on competent resources (websites or newspapers). Only in this way can you obtain reliable information that will help you make the right decision and realize that there is no reasonable alternative to vaccination today!
— During these autumn months, vaccination against influenza is also being carried out. In what sequence and with what interval is it best to get these vaccinations?
— As last year, in the 2021/2022 epidemic season, joint circulation of different viruses is expected, and the risk of simultaneous infection with several is high. First and foremost, the combination of coronavirus infection COVID-19 and seasonal flu in a person poses a danger. These infections are dangerous for any of us. To protect yourself correctly, you should first get vaccinated against coronavirus infection. At the patient's request and in the absence of contraindications, it is possible to use the COVID-19 vaccine and the flu vaccine together.
— In your opinion, how can the fear of vaccination be overcome for those who are afraid to get vaccinated?
— Familiarize yourself with information about the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination (in the Vitebsk region, it has been carried out since January 2021), its effectiveness and safety, on competent resources (websites or newspapers). Only in this way can you obtain reliable information that will help you make the right decision and realize that there is no reasonable alternative to vaccination today!
It is better to take care of your health in a timely manner.
— Last week, we monitored 763 facilities. Among them were shops, cafes, socio-cultural and utility facilities, enterprises, gas stations, etc. Non-compliance with sanitary and epidemiological measures was identified at 49.5 percent of the inspected facilities. The most frequent violations concern non-compliance with social distancing, lack of respiratory personal protective equipment among employees, and insufficient information for visitors about the need to use them. For example, a common violation in stores is the absence or fading of special markings in checkout areas, and in educational institutions, there are shortcomings in the organization of "entry control" and non-compliance with the principle of social distancing among students. Measures have been taken to eliminate them. 298 orders and recommendations have been sent to the heads of business entities. 63 protocols on administrative offenses have been drawn up, and 117 petitions for disciplinary action against guilty persons have been sent. Orders to suspend work and services at 37 facilities have also been issued.
— Are there any plans to tighten the enforcement of epidemic measures?
— Absolutely. The Ministry of Health has decided on the mandatory wearing of masks and maintaining distance in public places. These measures have been incorporated into sanitary norms and rules concerning the prevention of influenza and COVID-19. As for the region, at a meeting of the regional headquarters for preventing the spread of coronavirus infection, additional measures were determined to reduce the spread of COVID-19 incidence. These include intensifying vaccination against coronavirus infection, restricting various mass events, and changing the operating hours of nightlife establishments. Requirements for the implementation of preventive measures have been tightened.
Under Control
— Vladimir Alekseevich, your service assesses the implementation of sanitary and anti-epidemic measures at various socially significant facilities in the region. How responsibly do both their employees and visitors approach the fulfillment of epidemic requirements?— Last week, we monitored 763 facilities. Among them were shops, cafes, socio-cultural and utility facilities, enterprises, gas stations, etc. Non-compliance with sanitary and epidemiological measures was identified at 49.5 percent of the inspected facilities. The most frequent violations concern non-compliance with social distancing, lack of respiratory personal protective equipment among employees, and insufficient information for visitors about the need to use them. For example, a common violation in stores is the absence or fading of special markings in checkout areas, and in educational institutions, there are shortcomings in the organization of "entry control" and non-compliance with the principle of social distancing among students. Measures have been taken to eliminate them. 298 orders and recommendations have been sent to the heads of business entities. 63 protocols on administrative offenses have been drawn up, and 117 petitions for disciplinary action against guilty persons have been sent. Orders to suspend work and services at 37 facilities have also been issued.
— Are there any plans to tighten the enforcement of epidemic measures?
— Absolutely. The Ministry of Health has decided on the mandatory wearing of masks and maintaining distance in public places. These measures have been incorporated into sanitary norms and rules concerning the prevention of influenza and COVID-19. As for the region, at a meeting of the regional headquarters for preventing the spread of coronavirus infection, additional measures were determined to reduce the spread of COVID-19 incidence. These include intensifying vaccination against coronavirus infection, restricting various mass events, and changing the operating hours of nightlife establishments. Requirements for the implementation of preventive measures have been tightened.
and other measures by transport organizations.