One and a half years into the COVID-19 pandemic - Exit strategies and efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines for holistic management and achieving global control

Petersen, Eskild; Gökengin, Ayse Deniz; Al Balushi, Asma; Zumla, Alimuddin

The pandemic has now unfolded over the past one and a half year and all data show that SARS-CoV-2 has a higher mortality compared to influenza and people with sequelae after infection need to be treated by the health care systems. Evolution of new virus variants is discussed. The global expansion of the delta variant demonstrates that new variants with a higher transmission potential and also being more pathogenic can easily arise. So far, the roll out of vaccines has been the most efficient tool to control the pandemic. With the evolution of new variants vaccine efficacy must be closely monitored. The zoonotic nature of the virus means that it can cross from humans into an animal reservoir and back again, and surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 virus in animals in close contact to humans are needed. There will most certainly be a new wave in the coming year and it is possible that a booster vaccination is needed. To increase population immunity and reduce circulation of SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations most probably have to be expanded to children.