France will vaccinate an entire district in which there have been infections of a strange variant of the coronavirus

The appearance of a rare variant of the coronavirus in a district of the French city of Bordeaux aroused the concern of the health authorities, who have already taken measures in the matter and decided vaccinate everyone in the affected area.

// Chinese scientists who warned about coronavirus warn of danger of H5N8 influenza virus

The mutation was already known to the authorities but its detection was sporadic and had never caused a major source of contagion. Infections in the neighborhood have reached 100 cases, a striking figure because it is a rare virus, according to the regional health agency.

The variant was named VOC 20L / 484Q and its origin goes back to the English strain, although it incorporates modifications. According to Patrick Dehail, the medical adviser of the region, is a “disturbing variant“, Just like India.

// “Give her paracetamol”: they report that a 19-year-old girl died of the coronavirus after several emergency calls

French health officials believe he has reached the neighborhood and its surroundings by “two chains of contagion”. In addition, the affected population is predominantly young, schoolchildren and their parents. The symptoms do not differ from the usual and there are also asymptomatic positives. Fortunately, none of those affected had to be hospitalized.

Among the measures taken by the government is the implementation of a targeted vaccination plan against COVID-19, which aims to reach at least 8,000 inhabitants. Likewise, in order to speed up the operation, the sale of the Moderna vaccine will be activated in pharmacies from the neighborhood and close to the area.

At the same time, the municipality of Bordeaux has announced that it will install a vaccination center which, according to it, will operate from Wednesday. They assured that access to the immunizer would be unconditional.

// Which country has no more coronavirus cases and which now sells its Sputnik V vaccines to tourists

The E484K mutation, present in the strain from the Bordeaux district, is indicated as responsible for the reduction of the immunity acquired by a previous infection or by the application of a vaccine in the South African and Brazilian variants.

However, Dehail was wary of this possibility because there was still “no reason” to suggest that the variant is resistant to mRNA vaccines such as those manufactured by Pfizer or Moderna, or which cause a more severe form of COVID-19.

Access to coronavirus vaccines in France is limited to those over 50, although people outside this age group can book unused shifts. This measure will change as of May 31, when all adults can apply as candidates to receive one of the available vaccines.

(With information from AFP)