In 52nd week of the COVID-19 Pandemic, world is preparing to face many challenges coming out of the newer COVID-19 variant and vaccination - M.A.Aleem BMJ 2020;371:m4850

BMJ British Medical Journal 

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Inspirations and silver linings in a pandemic year

BMJ 2020; 371 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m4850 (Published 17 December 2020)

Cite this as: BMJ 2020;371:m4850

Re: Inspirations and silver linings in a pandemic year

Dear Editor

In 52nd week of the COVID-19 Pandemic, world is preparing to face many challenges coming out of the newer COVID-19 variant and vaccination

On 14 December 2020, authorities of the United Kingdom (UK) reported to WHO that a new SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) variant was identified through viral genomic sequencing.

Earlier Analysis indicates that the variant may spread more readily between people. Investigations are ongoing to determine if this variant is associated with any changes in the severity of symptoms, antibody response or vaccine efficacy.

Preliminary reports by the UK are that this variant is more transmissible than previous circulating viruses, with an estimated increase of between 40% and 70% in transmissibility (adding 0.4 to the basic reproduction number R0, bringing it to a range of 1.5 to 1.7).

Other than UK the new COVID-19 variant has been identified in several countries including Australia, Denmark, Italy, Iceland South Africa Nigeria and in

Netherlands.

The new COVID-19 strain is not detected in India as of on 25.12.2020.

India has noted several mutations in the novel coronavirus since March, out of which one was a super-spreader but it died on its own, said a top official from the Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB).

World has also facing a few challenges towards vaccination for COVID-19.

As positive results emerge at last with vaccination against COVID-19 , researchers must help the world to address the vaccine hesitancy, supply logistics and pricing to vaccinate every one in developed, developing and in underdeveloped countries

Common side effects on the arm where you got the shot include pain and swelling. You could also experience fever, chills, tiredness and headache. Some time a few allergic reactions has also been reported in a few with COVID-19 vaccination

Scientists say there’s no evidence that vaccines currently being deployed in the UK - made by Pfizer and BioNtech - or other COVID-19 shots in development will not protect against this new COVID-19 variant .

Competing interests: No competing interests

25 December 2020

M.A. Aleem

Emeritus Professor of Neurology * Visiting Specialist in Neurology ** Consultant Neurologist ***

The Tamilnadu Dr.M.G.R. Medical University * Dhanalakshami Srinivasan Medical College ** ABC Hospital ***

Chennai 600032* Perambalure 621212** Trichy 620018*** Tamilnadu India

@drmaaleem