Jul 27, 2021 06:00:00

Is it OK to inoculate the new corona vaccine without wearing a mask?

Vaccination with the new coronavirus is progressing all over the world, and movements to lift the regulations due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) are becoming

active all over the world. Meanwhile, Peter Chin Hong, a professor of pharmacy at the University of California, San Francisco , answers the question, 'Will I not need to wear a mask after vaccination with the new coronavirus vaccine?'

Should fully immunized people wear masks indoors? An infectious disease physician weighs in
https://theconversation.com/should-fully-immunized-people-wear-masks-indoors-an-infectious-disease-physician-weighs-in-163868

When COVID-19 began to spread, the

World Health Organization (WHO) published guidelines on mask use stating that 'the use of cloth masks such as gauze and cotton is not recommended under any circumstances'. , Was taking a negative position against wearing a cloth mask. However, in June 2020, it announced that it is recommended to wear a handmade or commercially available cloth mask when it is impossible or difficult to secure a social distance, in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection. We have begun to encourage the general public to wear masks, including cloth masks.

WHO finally recommends 'wearing a mask for the general public' and admits that it will prevent the spread of the new coronavirus-GIGAZINE

After that, inoculation of the new coronavirus vaccine progressed in the

United States, and on March 9, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said, 'If you are vaccinated with the new coronavirus vaccine, do not wear a mask. is it possible to spend indoors 'to publish the guidelines were. However, as the number of new coronavirus infections began to increase again in the United States, a letter was submitted to the CDC on July 12 asking the National Nurses United to recommend wearing masks (PDF link). .. In the United States, the movement to encourage vaccinated people to wear masks has regained momentum, with the Los Angeles County decision on July 15 to require residents to wear masks regardless of vaccination status. I am.

Chin Hong pointed out that the reason why masks are required to be worn again in the United States is the emergence of highly infectious mutant strains such as Delta strains. For example, if Pfizer's new coronavirus vaccine is given only once , it shows an efficacy rate of 51% against the new coronavirus alpha strain , but 34% against the highly infectious delta strain. There are research reports that show only the efficacy rate of. On the other hand, the same study report also reported that after two inoculations, the efficacy rate was 93% for the alpha strain and 88% for the delta strain.

While optimistic report as described above is present, the Israeli government is that the effective rate of Pfizer's new coronavirus vaccine was reduced to 64 percent in 2021 July announced we are. Chin Hong acknowledged that the vaccine efficacy rate fluctuates widely in the research report, but 'all reports and studies show the high preventive effect of the vaccine against serious diseases requiring hospitalization. He emphasized that the new coronavirus vaccine has been shown to be effective in preventing the aggravation of COVID-19. '99.5% of new deaths in the United States are unvaccinated,' said Rochelle Walensky, director of the CDC.

99.6% of new corona infections & 99.5% of new deaths are 'unvaccinated' --GIGAZINE

'The new data that the efficacy of the new coronavirus vaccine is declining supports WHO's claim to recommend wearing a mask regardless of vaccination status. Globally, vaccination rates are low and diverse. Various types of vaccines are used, and each vaccine has a different efficacy rate against the new coronavirus. It makes sense for WHO to recommend wearing a mask to cover all these situations. He supports WHO's view that masks should be worn even if they are vaccinated.

In addition, Mr. Chin Hong explained why the CDC did not require people who received the new coronavirus vaccine to wear masks at the time of writing, 'In the United States, the rate of receiving the new coronavirus vaccine is generally high, COVID- Due to the relatively low number of hospitalizations and deaths due to 19, the same criteria as in other countries of the world do not apply, and some experts said, 'Wear a mask even after vaccination with the new coronavirus vaccine. I am afraid that sending the message 'should' may discourage people from receiving the new coronavirus vaccine, 'said the CDC to mask the American people after the new coronavirus vaccine. Claims that it is unlikely to ask you to wear.

Finally, Mr. Chin Hong said, 'Unless the number of hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID-19 in the United States is manageable and medical collapse has occurred, masks for those who have been vaccinated with the new coronavirus vaccine. You don't have to be obliged to wear it, 'he concludes.