Waldemar Kraska: I hope these are the last months of the pandemic

Our organisms have been in contact with this virus over the past years, which allowed us to generate a certain level of antibodies, and thus immunity. Vaccination also increases the level of immunity. I hope that these are the last months of Covid and we will go to normal - predicted Waldemar Kraska.

Meanwhile, the SARS-CoV-2 virus appeared in the world in two new mutations: BQ.1 and BQ.1.1. As the Deputy Minister of Health explained, these are the next varieties of Omikron that appeared in Nigeria. There are also already diagnosed cases in Europe and the first two in Poland. These variants will most likely replace the now dominant BA.5 variant. However, there is speculation that the Omikron BQ.1 and BQ.1.1. is immune to vaccination.

- These variants are currently being investigated by experts. However, the updated vaccines that have emerged appear to be effective against these variants as well. So let's decide to take a booster dose of the vaccine - advised Kraska.

Interest in vaccinations in the second booster, both in Poland and Europe, is negligible. The best vaccination coverage is recorded in Belgium, and it is still only 26%.

- We are all tired of the pandemic. At the moment, the epidemic situation is stable and there are still few new cases. Fewer and fewer people are also hospitalized. Data from Friday shows that we currently have almost 1.9 thousand. people in hospitals. Three days earlier, there were almost 2.2 thousand of them. - noted the Deputy Minister of Health.

Waldemar Kraska called for vaccinations, also against the flu. This is especially important in high-risk groups, the most numerous of which are seniors. In October, about half of all Covid-19 cases were in seniors. These people have a naturally reduced immunity, which is further worsened by factors such as multiple diseases.