It seems like the vaccination has replaced all other protective measures in the pandemic. But that is not the case. According to an international study, the combination with well-known methods is still best.
Testing, distance, masks, ventilation, washing hands – the hygiene measures, briefly summarized in the AHA + L form, are well known after a year and a half of the pandemic. However, since the vaccination has continued to advance, many have no longer taken it very seriously. For example, masks were no longer required in schools months ago, and people who have been vaccinated or recovered no longer have to wear mouth and nose protection behind their ears in certain areas. And the lockdown demanded by scientists is still despised by politicians. Instead, the main focus is still on vaccination. All of this is problematic in view of the dramatically increasing number of cases, as several studies have shown.
In Israel, which has become a global pioneer in fighting pandemics, fully vaccinated corona patients piled up in hospitals as early as August. The reason for this was that the higher the vaccination rate, the greater the likelihood of a vaccination breakthrough. Depending on the vaccine it takes. This was the result of the British “Zoe Covid Study”, which compared the active ingredients from Biontech / Pfizer and Astrazeneca. Accordingly, the vaccination protection at Biontech fell after the second dose within the first five to six months from 88 to 74 percent. Astrazeneca was only 67 percent effective after four to five months. For the study, the researchers evaluated test results from 1.2 million people who had been vaccinated between December 2020 and July 2021.
A team of researchers from the University of Umea in Sweden came to a similar conclusion. The study, which first appeared, shows that the effects of Astrazeneca wear off the fastest. The protection with the vaccine from Moderna is most durable. The paper has yet to be reviewed by independent experts.
Masks, vaccinations, lockdown – what works best?
Nevertheless, the results show: The risk of infection with the coronavirus increases over time, and people who have been vaccinated can also transmit the virus, as a British study recently made clear. A refresher is necessary – and further protective measures are essential.
Researchers at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, and the University in Edinburgh have examined which work best. They wanted to find out which methods were most effective in suppressing incidences. For this purpose, the scientists analyzed 35 studies from different countries that had previously examined the effectiveness of various protective measures. Among other things, the studies were examined with a view to applicable mask requirements, lockdowns, quarantine, school closings and everyday measures such as regular hand washing and disinfection. :
- The most effective way to do this is to do it regularly Wash your hands and the days of Masks. Both measures reduce the risk of infection with the coronavirus by 53 percent each. Mouth and nose protection reduces virus transmission by almost 30 percent. In countries where a mask is compulsory, the mortality rate is almost 48 percent lower.
- Who regularly shakes hands or used objects disinfected, can reduce virus transmission by up to 77 percent.
- To the Keeping a distance the researchers could not make any statements because the results of the studies vary widely. The likelihood of coronavirus transmission fell by 12 percent in the United States and 62 percent in Kenya. Overall, the measure has a positive effect on the spread of the virus.
- school closings had a strong effect on both incidence and mortality. According to a cited long-term study from the United States, the incidence fell by 62 percent. Mortality decreased by 58 percent. In addition, teachers in the lower grades were exposed to a higher risk of infection than those in the upper grades. However, the results vary. A study from Japan could not find any such effects.
- According to the researchers, the number of new infections also decreases when states have one Lockdown impose. The risk of infection has decreased by up to 14 percent in various countries. The death rate also fell – depending on the country – between two (USA) and 60 percent (Italy, Spain).
- About the effects of Travel restrictions and Border closings there are no clear findings. While a study from Africa shows that the number of infections increased after the border was closed, a US study points to a decrease of 11 percent.
Researchers recommend combining different measures
“The systematic study shows that the incidence can be massively reduced by wearing masks and contact restrictions,” summarize the study authors in the British Medical Journal (BMJ). School closings, lockdowns and economic restrictions are also highly effective. However, it is important to impose these measures early on, when the incidence is still low. Isolation and exit restrictions are also seen by the researchers as an effective means of curbing the spread of the virus. With a view to travel restrictions and border closings, however, the researchers admit that they cannot deliver any meaningful results. The reason is the poor study situation.
Overall, the scientists propose a mix of different measures to combat the pandemic effectively. “It is likely that the continued fight against the Covid-19 pandemic does not only depend on a high vaccination rate and its effectiveness,” the team writes. The consistent implementation of the measures is also necessary. However, the researchers advise taking health and socio-cultural needs of the population into account.
Most recently, Austria, Denmark and the Netherlands tightened their measures due to the dramatic corona situation. In the Netherlands, for example, everyone has been locked down for almost a week. Austria has so far only imposed this on people who have not been vaccinated. However, more and more experts are calling for an expansion to include those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered. In addition, the country has tightened the mask requirement again after it was completely lifted in the summer. Masks are also required in Romania, Slovakia, Poland and the Czech Republic. In Germany, the mask requirement has been lifted in schools, among other places, in recent months. Even under certain conditions, such as the 3 or 2G regulation, this does not apply in certain areas.
With a look at research, however, it becomes clear that mouth and nose protection will remain the method of choice for a long time to come. Because the vaccinations do not protect enough in the long term.
Source From: Stern
