The third coronavirus vaccine after Sputnik V and EpiVacCorona, called KoviVac, received a registration certificate on February 20, 2021. This was stated by the Chairman of the Government of Russia Mikhail Mishustin.
Many experts argue that the CoviVac vaccine is significantly different from the previous two. The fact is that it can be used by people who have contraindications to other vaccines, the immune response to CoviVac may be higher, and the drug will be effective even against mutated strains.
"CoviVac" is an inactivated whole-virion purified and concentrated vaccine, which is administered twice with an interval of 14 days. Virologist, epidemiologist of the Center named after V. I. Gamalei, Doctor of Medical Sciences Viktor Zuev, in a commentary for Word and Delo, revealed what this means and how the third Russian vaccine against coronavirus works.
The "CoviVac" vaccine is based on a real sample of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is deliberately deprived of its infectious properties, but at the same time retains the ability to induce an immune response. Such vaccines contain the entire set of proteins of the viral particle, and, accordingly, the most complete immune response is expected.
“This vaccine is prepared according to the classical technology, when they take a whole pathogen and inactivate it, depriving it of its pathogenicity. And its pathogenicity is associated with the nucleic acid that it contains. Let's reveal: any virus must contain either RNA or DNA. And only one virus - the variola virus - contains both. It is the nucleic acid that determines the pathogenicity of the virus. Therefore, it is necessary to somehow inactivate this factor of pathogenicity. This can be done in different ways: it can be heated, it can be irradiated. Every company chooses its own way of inactivation, "- says Victor Zuev in a commentary for" Word and Deed ".
In the protein envelope of the virus, in addition to the outer proteins, there are internal proteins that, like sheaths, enclose the nucleic acid inside. With this technology, the entire protein mass, which the virus is rich in, is ultimately preserved. That is why the classical technology for preparing a vaccine is good: it staunchly protects the body and makes it easier to transfer the disease.
“For example, influenza vaccines are not very stable, we need to get vaccinated every year. But the point is that if the vaccine strain does not get into the epidemic strain, then if you are vaccinated and still get infected, the disease will pass in a milder form. This is because the outer proteins are different for different strains, and the inner proteins are very similar. And therefore, some kind of protection will still be provided. This is the advantage of this classic vaccine preparation technology: take a pathogen and deprive it of its ability to cause disease, that is, deprive it of its pathogenicity,”the doctor explains.
Viktor Zuev noted that there are still no answers to the most interesting questions - how effective this vaccine will be, how long the immunity it will develop. The epidemiologist, together with all Russians, is awaiting the results of clinical trials, which will allow an objective assessment of the safety and effectiveness of this vaccine.
Earlier, epidemiologist Viktor Zuev, in a commentary for Word and Deed, told how to wear a mask correctly in order to avoid contracting coronavirus.