Influenza and COVID-19 are still very present in the population this Christmas Day.
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The new JN.1 variant of COVID-19 spreads more easily than its predecessor and is believed to be the cause of many cases recorded in recent weeks.
Retired virologist Jacques Lapierre indicates, however, that this variant comes from the BA.2.86 strain of the virus, which is covered by the latest available vaccine.
“People who have been vaccinated recently are still protected against this virus,” he says.
More cases of long COVID would also be observed in the population.
“That’s what I observe,” he said. The more cases of virus transmission, the greater the risk of having long COVID. Currently, we have around 2,000 people infected per week, so that’s still a lot of people. There are 2000 people in hospital. There are not many who die, but the risk is really long COVID.”
“I have often heard people, without knowing that it is long COVID, who say they always feel tired, have lung problems,” he continues. As it is very little known, it is perhaps a little more difficult to diagnose and we do not really know yet what to do to bring these people back to a correct state.”
As for influenza, influenza A (H1N1) is the one that circulates the most, and it would cause more acute symptoms.
“It’s the season,” says Mr. Lapierre. Influenza is coming and it is truly a seasonal virus. What we are currently observing is that influenza is still on the rise and we have not yet reached the peak.”
“What also happens is that in the case of influenza, it is A-H1N1 which circulates the most,” he adds. It’s a virus that normally causes a little more problems in affected people.”
An easy solution to limit the spread of these viruses remains to get vaccinated, but fewer and fewer people are doing it, observes the retired virologist.
“It’s unfortunate,” he maintains. But it’s understandable, because […] That’s 6 times we’ve been vaccinated against COVID. To properly protect yourself, you have to do it; if you were vaccinated more than 6 months ago, our protection decreases. As for influenza, there are four viruses in the vaccine that will protect us. These viruses change from year to year. So you have to get vaccinated every year.”
Watch the full interview in the video above