Kyrgyzstan: Is Omicron Dangerous and Can Revaccination Help?

Unlike other strains, Omicron causes mainly headaches and weakness. In this case, the sense of smell and taste changes less often. Generally speaking, the symptoms of Omicron resemble the symptoms of ARI, namely elevated body temperature up to 38°C, stuffy nose, runny nose, throat irritation and sore throat, sneezing, cough, in some cases loss of appetite, as well as muscle and joint aches. Some children have skin rashes.

The Omicron variant is dangerous because it has increased transmissibility. It can transmit two to seven times faster than the delta variant, for example. Besides, it attacks the bronchi and the lungs; therefore, people should not ignore it, but should take care of their health.

First, in public places and if the person sitting or standing next to you in the premises has respiratory symptoms. Therefore, healthcare workers keep on telling about social distancing and wearing of masks. This will reduce the probability of virus transmission. However, you should keep in mind that even such measures will not save you from getting infected if you have contact with someone who has the virus for a long time.

No, diagnostics and treatment are the main options for treatment. The main thing one must not do when first symptoms of the disease develop is to take antibiotics and antivirals at one’s own discretion. One must visit a doctor first. If one has a fever for a few days, increased shortness of breath or cough, healthcare workers may hospitalise the patient.

Yes, you can, especially if you don’t follow the health standards. What is important is that the coronavirus vaccine does not create lasting immunity for life. However, it reduces the risk of lethality, results in mild disease and helps to prevent grave lung damage.

According to British healthcare workers, the effectiveness of vaccines against Omicron is lower than against Delta. However, a booster dose increases protection of the organism by 65-70 per cent.  Vaccine effectiveness against hospitalisation is estimated at 92 per cent. However, the effect is not long-term, and drops gradually approximately after 10 weeks.

No, a person may be vaccinated only after the latent period is over. The immunity should recover. There are no specific terms as to when after the disease a person can get vaccinated. An attending doctor should give recommendations on vaccination on a case-by-case basis.

As of January 27, the first dose of coronavirus vaccine was administered to 1,311,755 people. According to the Centre for Immunologic Prophylaxis, it makes 58 per cent of the target group. The second dose was administered to slightly above one million people, 48 per cent.

In fact, these vaccination figures are given below – this statistics show not only the Kyrgyzstanis, but also foreigners, who were vaccinated in Kyrgyzstan. According to the Republican Centre for Immunologic Prophylaxis, both doses of vaccine were administered to 66,846 citizens of other states.

In December 2021, the decision was made to revaccinate the population and administer the third (booster) dose. As of January 27, it was administered to 52,068 people. As to full revaccination, i.e. 3^rd and 4^th doses, the Ministry of Health did not provide official information about it. However, one can get not only booster, but also the fourth dose of the vaccine in vaccination points.

The third dose is recommended to increase the number of antibodies in the organism and to boost immune system against Covid-19. Previously, healthcare workers had recommended to get a booster dose in six months after the first and second doses. But in January 2022, when Kyrgyzstan faced the increase in the disease rate, this term was reduced to four months. The terms are set according to the WHO recommendation.

No, you can get a booster dose of any vaccine available in Kyrgyzstan. Now Sinopharm, Pfizer, Moderna, Sputnik Light, and AstraZeneca are available to citizens. Given a few kinds of vaccines available in the country, healthcare workers recommend to follow these combinations:

If Sinopharm was used for the primary vaccination:

Sinopharm (1^st and 2^nd dose) + AstraZeneca (one dose);

Sinopharm(1^st and 2^nd dose) + Pfizer (one dose);

Sinopharm(1^st and 2^nd dose) + Moderna (one dose);

Sinopharm(1^st and 2^nd dose) + Sputnik Light (one dose);

Sinopharm(1^st and 2^nd dose) + Sinovac (one dose).

If Sputnik V was used for the primary vaccination:

Sputnik V (1^st and 2^nd dose) + AstraZeneca (one dose);

Sputnik V (1^st and 2^nd dose) + Pfizer (one dose);

Sputnik V (1^st and 2^nd dose) + Moderna (one dose);

Sputnik V (1^st and 2^nd dose) + Sputnik Light (one dose);

Sputnik V (1^st and 2^nd dose) + Sinopharm (one dose);

Sputnik V (1^st and 2^nd dose) + Sinovac (one dose).

If AstraZeneca was used for the primary vaccination:

AstraZeneca (1^st and 2^nd dose) + Pfizer (one dose);

AstraZeneca (1^st and 2^nd dose) + Moderna (one dose);

AstraZeneca (1^st and 2^nd dose) + Sputnik Light (one dose);

AstraZeneca (1^st and 2^nd dose) + Sinopharm (one dose);

AstraZeneca (1^st and 2^nd dose) + Sinovac (one dose).

If Pfizer was used for the primary vaccination:

Pfizer (1^st and 2^nd dose) + AstraZeneca (one dose);

Pfizer (1^st and 2^nd dose) + Moderna (one dose);

Pfizer (1^st and 2^nd dose) + Sputnik Light (one dose);

Pfizer (1^st and 2^nd dose) + Sinopharm (one dose);

Pfizer (1^st and 2^nd dose) + Sinovac (one dose).

If Moderna was used for the primary vaccination:

Moderna (1^st and 2^nd dose) + AstraZeneca (one dose);

Moderna (1^st and 2^nd dose) + Pfizer (one dose);

Moderna (1^st and 2^nd dose) + Sputnik Light (one dose);

Moderna (1^st and 2^nd dose) + Sinopharm (one dose);

Moderna (1^st and 2^nd dose) + Sinovac (one dose);

If QazVac was used for the primary vaccination:

QazVac (1^st and 2^nd dose) + AstraZeneca (one dose);

QazVac (1^st and 2^nd dose) + Pfizer (one dose);

QazVac (1^st and 2^nd dose) + Moderna (one dose);

QazVac (1^st and 2^nd dose) + Sputnik Light (one dose);

QazVac (1^st and 2^nd dose) + Sinopharm (one dose);

QazVac (1^st and 2^nd dose) + Sinovac (one dose).

If Sinovac was used for the primary vaccination:

Sinovac (1^st and 2^nd dose) + AstraZeneca (one dose);

Sinovac (1^st and 2^nd dose) + Pfizer (one dose);

Sinovac (1^st and 2^nd dose) + Moderna (one dose);

Sinovac (1^st and 2^nd dose) + Sputnik Light (one dose);

Sinovac (1^st and 2^nd dose) + Sinopharm (one dose).