[Thread]. 1. The #DeltaVariant now officially dominates in SA, according to the country's latest sequencing results: 1. Samples were collected in June 2. 48% of the genomes = Delta 3. 32% = Beta 4. Delta has been detected in all 9 provinces
(Slides = @Tuliodna and @rjlessells)
2. What are sequencing results? The coronavirus is made up of a string of genetic code. Genomic sequencing allows scientists to decode the genes of viruses and monitor how they change over time. That way they're able to figure out if there are different variants.
3. These two slides show how the May and June sequencing results compare: 1. In May, sequences were still dominated by the Beta variant (69% of samples = Beta variant; 14% of samples = #DeltaVariant) 2. In June, Delta surpassed Beta (Delta = 48%; Beta = 32%)
4. If we look at individual provinces, the #DeltaVariant is now dominant in most provinces. Here's how the variant's occurrence increased between May + June in Gauteng, Kwazulu-Natal + Western Cape. Look at how, as the weeks go by, Delta (green) takes over from Beta (blue).
5. In the Northern Cape, which reached its 3rd wave peak before the rest of SA, the #DeltaVariant was already detected in April/May (earlier than some other provinces). Look at the @mediahackza graphs + see how the wave peaked before other provinces and then dipped in late June).
6. Here's how widespread the #DeltaVariant is now across the world (Delta = purple): 1. Delta = detected in 96 countries 2. Delta = rapidly becoming dominant in many countries (so what's happening in SA, is happening elsewhere)
7. Why does the #DeltaVariant spread so fast? It has mutations that enable it to transmit more efficiently from person to person. It's the most transmissible variant we know of and estimated to be 2X as transmissible as the original form of #SARSCoV2 (that causes #COVID19).
8. Do SA's jabs work @ the #DeltaVariant? 1. #Pfizer: 2 shots = 88% effective in protecting @ #COVID19. Protection @ hospitalisation = 96%. 2. #JnJ: Early data suggests JnJ is more effective against Delta than Beta. Protection @ severe COVID caused by Beta = 85%.
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🧵1. BREAKING: The peer-reviewed results of the study of a 6-monthly jab, #lenacapavir, in which not a single of the 2134 women between 16-25 years who received the jab contracted #HIV, were released at #Aids2024.
2. Women often find it hard to adhere to daily #oralPrEP. In the Purpose 1 trial, 91.5% of women returned on time for their next #lenacapavir jab at 26 weeks and 92.8% at week 52.
3. Only 4 women out of 2134 (0.2%) who received #lenacapavir dropped out of the trial because of injection-site reactions.
[Thread] 12 things to know about the the proportion of pregnant women infected with #HIV from SA’s latest antenatal HIV survey. The survey is conducted by the @nicd_sa.
(Analysis of our 95-95-95 goals in my next thread later in Jan).
1/12
2. What is the antenatal #HIV survey?
1. It measures the % of HIV+ pregnant women between the ages of 15 + 49. 2. Only women using state pregnancy clinics take part. 3. The survey has been conducted each year between 1990-2015, then in 2017, 2019 +2022.
3. How many pregnant women between 15-49’s blood was tested for #HIV? 37 828 out of 40 542 collected samples.
- 37 7171 = Black African women
- 37 541 didn’t live with the dad of their child
- 35,635 of dads were 5 years+ older than moms (this makes them more likely to get HIV)
JUST IN [Thread]:
1.@healthza's Lesley Broomberg:
An extra #COVID19 booster jab for people of 18+ in SA will become available towards the end of JANUARY
- People of 50+ qualify for a 5th dose
- People of 18+ qualify for a 4th dose
2. Lesley Broomberg: Can you mix and match with additional boosters? Yes. You can choose whether you want a #JnJ or #Pfizer booster.
3. Lesley Broomberg:
Will teens of 12-17 qualify for boosters? Not at this stage. Why not? The #VMAC = not recommended booster doses for 12-17, based on an understanding that the protection provided by 2 #Pfizer doses = adequate, as 12-17 = @ low risk of severe #COVID19 illness
[Thread] #JoePhaahla:
- Genomic surveillance Network reported the detection of the new subvariant XBB.1.5 in SA of a sample of a patient tested on 22 Dec
- Details of the patient = not known, it was a random sample taken for testing
- XBB.1.5 = also common in US
2. XBB.1.5 = common in US
#JoePhaahla:
- 97%+ of #COVID19 cases worldwide = still #Omicron
- XBB.1.5 cases = no major change in hospitalisations or deaths
- Immunity of SAs (vax and natural immunity) = still strong, so that is why we haven't seen much change in terms of hospital admissions/deaths
Which APIs will Aspen use?
India's Serum Institute's
2. Why is it NB that an African company makes these jabs?
#Africa imports almost all its jabs. #COVID19 showed us this results in Africa being last in line to get vaccines during pandemics. The grant to Aspen is 1 of the 1st steps to change that.
3. What's the goal?
By 2040, the African Union wants #Africa to make 60% of the jabs the continent uses.
Why?
So that Africa is better equipped 2 respond 2 outbreaks (by developing the ability to make jabs + have technology in place to also make new jabs during pandemics).
🧵1. BREAKING: @SAHPRA1 has confirmed the registration of the #HIV prevention jab, #CABLA in South Africa. On Thursday, #ViiVHealthcare issued their statement.
2. Who can use the jab? @SAHPRA1 didn't specify restrictions for use in their statement, only that it is "a highly effective option for people at substantial risk of #HIV infection."
3. How does the jab work? It uses an #ARV called cabotegravir that prevents #HIV from replicating and entering someone’s cells. It’s taken every two months. Read my latest story for more. bit.ly/3ER7ejq