Arvac COVID Vaccine Update
- BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — A new version of the COVID-19 vaccine, ARVAC "Cecilia Grierson," is now being distributed in pharmacies adn vaccination centers across Argentina as an...
- juliana Cassataro, the team leader at the National University of San Martín who spearheaded the vaccine's creation in collaboration with Cassará Laboratories, expressed pride in the achievement.
- “Unlike other vaccines that received emergency authorization during the pandemic, ARVAC was definitively authorized in October 2023, and the updated version was approved in March of this year,”...
argentina Distributes Updated COVID-19 Vaccine, ARVAC “Cecilia Grierson”
Table of Contents
- argentina Distributes Updated COVID-19 Vaccine, ARVAC “Cecilia Grierson”
- Argentina’s New COVID-19 Vaccine: Your Questions Answered
- What is the ARVAC “Cecilia Grierson” vaccine?
- Who developed the ARVAC vaccine?
- Is ARVAC approved for use?
- Why is an updated COVID-19 vaccine needed?
- What are the long-term effects of COVID-19?
- How effective is the ARVAC vaccine?
- How does the ARVAC vaccine work?
- Is the ARVAC vaccine safe?
- Where can I get the ARVAC vaccine?
- How much does the ARVAC vaccine cost?
- How should the ARVAC vaccine be stored?
- Does vaccination really reduce the risk of long-term COVID-19 symptoms?
- Key Features of the ARVAC Vaccine
- What is the future focus of the ARVAC team?
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — A new version of the COVID-19 vaccine, ARVAC “Cecilia Grierson,” is now being distributed in pharmacies adn vaccination centers across Argentina as an annual booster. this marks the first updated vaccine in the country designed to combat the JN.1 variant, following the latest recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO).
juliana Cassataro, the team leader at the National University of San Martín who spearheaded the vaccine’s creation in collaboration with Cassará Laboratories, expressed pride in the achievement. Cassará laboratories handled the industrial production of the vaccine.
“Unlike other vaccines that received emergency authorization during the pandemic, ARVAC was definitively authorized in October 2023, and the updated version was approved in March of this year,” Cassataro said.
COVID-19 Still a Threat
Despite waning media attention, COVID-19 continues to circulate. Last year in Argentina, COVID-19 and influenza led to more hospitalizations and deaths than the flu, according to the National immunizations Commission (CONAIN). The commission recommends annual vaccinations for both viruses, particularly for at-risk groups.
Long-Term Effects of COVID-19
The SARS-CoV-2 virus is known to cause lasting health issues, including what is known as long COVID, which can manifest in up to 200 different symptoms. These symptoms include cognitive impairment, difficulty concentrating, long-term memory problems, and fatigue. Medical literature suggests that reinfection can worsen these conditions.
A 2022 study published in Nature Medicine indicated that the risk of long-term health issues increases with each subsequent COVID-19 infection.
the study can be found at: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-022-02051-3
Vaccination Reduces Risk of Persistent Symptoms
“Unlike the flu, each COVID-19 infection increases a person’s predisposition to cognitive problems, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and other diseases,” Cassataro said. She estimates that about 10% of COVID-19 patients suffer from long-term effects.
Cassataro added that vaccination reduces the risk of persistent symptoms. “In addition to preventing it individually, if we all vaccinate ourselves, we also protect them.”
ARVAC’s Growth and Benefits
The ARVAC vaccine utilizes a technology that has been around for more than 30 years, the recombinant protein subunit platform, which contains parts of the virus. Cassataro emphasized the vaccine’s safety profile.
“Reactogenic effects are very, very low. Less than 7% of the people who administered them had a fever,” she said.
Storage and Protection
The ARVAC vaccine can be stored in a standard refrigerator between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius (35 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit). It significantly increases the level of neutralizing antibodies, regardless of prior vaccination history or comorbidities, and offers 90% protection against symptomatic disease.
Availability and Cost
According to health ministry guidelines, individuals with comorbidities and those over 50 should receive a COVID-19 vaccine annually. Currently, ARVAC is not available through public vaccination programs as it has not been acquired by the Ministry of Health. it is available in private vaccination centers and pharmacies, costing around 20,000 pesos with a 40% discount through social security or prepaid health plans.
Looking Ahead: Avian Flu
While the Argentine vaccine is being offered in other countries in the region, cassataro is now focusing on another potential threat: avian flu.
“The possibility of being transmissible among humans is real, and everyone is preparing,” she said. “It is a danger that has already affected many mammals and even caused deaths in humans. We are working with Cassará laboratories, using what we have learned to develop techniques not only for a vaccine but also to measure the immune response. It is vital to start early, as these processes take time.”
Argentina’s New COVID-19 Vaccine: Your Questions Answered
What is the ARVAC “Cecilia Grierson” vaccine?
The ARVAC “Cecilia Grierson” is a new,updated COVID-19 vaccine now being distributed in pharmacies and vaccination centers across Argentina. Its designed as an annual booster and is the first updated vaccine in the contry to target the JN.1 variant,a important factor in current global COVID-19 concerns. This vaccine follows the latest recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Who developed the ARVAC vaccine?
The ARVAC vaccine was created by a team at the National University of San Martín in collaboration with Cassará Laboratories, which handled the vaccine’s industrial production.
Is ARVAC approved for use?
Yes, ARVAC received definitive authorization in October 2023, unlike some previous vaccines that received emergency authorization. The updated version specifically targeting the JN.1 variant was approved in March of this year.
Why is an updated COVID-19 vaccine needed?
despite waning media attention, COVID-19 continues to pose a threat. last year, COVID-19 and influenza led to more hospitalizations and deaths than the flu in Argentina.The National Immunizations Commission (CONAIN) recommends annual vaccinations for both viruses,especially for at-risk groups. Plus, the SARS-CoV-2 virus can cause long-term health issues, frequently enough referred to as “long COVID.”
What are the long-term effects of COVID-19?
“long COVID” can manifest as up to 200 different symptoms, including:
cognitive impairment
Difficulty concentrating
Long-term memory problems
Fatigue
Medical literature suggests that reinfection can worsen these conditions. A 2022 study in nature Medicine indicated that the risk of long-term health issues increases with each subsequent COVID-19 infection.
How effective is the ARVAC vaccine?
The ARVAC vaccine offers 90% protection against symptomatic disease. It substantially increases the level of neutralizing antibodies, regardless of prior vaccination history or comorbidities.
How does the ARVAC vaccine work?
ARVAC utilizes a recombinant protein subunit platform, a technology that has been around for over 30 years and contains parts of the virus.
Is the ARVAC vaccine safe?
Yes, the ARVAC vaccine has a very good safety profile. According to Juliana Cassataro, less than 7% of people who received the vaccine experienced a fever, indicating very low reactogenic effects.
Where can I get the ARVAC vaccine?
Currently, ARVAC is not available through public vaccination programs as the Ministry of Health has not yet acquired it. It is available in private vaccination centers and pharmacies in Argentina.
How much does the ARVAC vaccine cost?
The ARVAC vaccine costs around 20,000 pesos.A 40% discount is available through social security or prepaid health plans.
How should the ARVAC vaccine be stored?
The ARVAC vaccine can be stored in a standard refrigerator between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius (35 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit).
Does vaccination really reduce the risk of long-term COVID-19 symptoms?
Yes, vaccination reduces the risk of persistent symptoms. According to Juliana Cassataro, vaccination reduces the risk of persistent symptoms.
Key Features of the ARVAC Vaccine
Hear’s a swift summary:
| Feature | Description |
| ————————— | —————————————————————————————————————————– |
| Target Variant | JN.1 |
| Technology | Recombinant protein subunit platform |
| Authorization Status | Definitively authorized (October 2023, updated version approved March 2024) |
| Storage Requirements | 2 to 8 degrees Celsius (35 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit) |
| Protection Against Disease | Approximately 90% protection against symptomatic disease |
| Availability | Private vaccination centers and pharmacies in Argentina |
| cost | Around 20,000 pesos |
| Side Effects | Very low. Less than 7% of people who administered them had a fever. |
What is the future focus of the ARVAC team?
They are now focusing on avian flu due to its potential to be transmissible among humans. They are developing techniques for a vaccine and measuring the immune response,recognizing the importance of early preparation.