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Review
. 2023 Sep 19;11(9):1502.
doi: 10.3390/vaccines11091502.

Key Considerations during the Transition from the Acute Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Narrative Review

Piotr Rzymski  1 , Maria Pokorska-Śpiewak  2 , Teresa Jackowska  3 , Ernest Kuchar  4 , Aneta Nitsch-Osuch  5 , Małgorzata Pawłowska  6 , Mateusz Babicki  7 , Jerzy Jaroszewicz  8 , Leszek Szenborn  9 , Jacek Wysocki  10 , Robert Flisiak  11
Affiliations
Review

Key Considerations during the Transition from the Acute Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Narrative Review

Piotr Rzymski et al. Vaccines (Basel). .

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has been met with an unprecedented response from the scientific community, leading to the development, investigation, and authorization of vaccines and antivirals, ultimately reducing the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on global public health. However, SARS-CoV-2 is far from being eradicated, continues to evolve, and causes substantial health and economic burdens. In this narrative review, we posit essential points on SARS-CoV-2 and its responsible management during the transition from the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. As discussed, despite Omicron (sub)variant(s) causing clinically milder infections, SARS-CoV-2 is far from being a negligible pathogen. It requires continued genomic surveillance, particularly if one considers that its future (sub)lineages do not necessarily have to be milder. Antivirals and vaccines remain the essential elements in COVID-19 management. However, the former could benefit from further development and improvements in dosing, while the seasonal administration of the latter requires simplification to increase interest and tackle vaccine hesitancy. It is also essential to ensure the accessibility of COVID-19 pharmaceuticals and vaccines in low-income countries and improve the understanding of their use in the context of the long-term goals of SARS-CoV-2 management. Regardless of location, the primary role of COVID-19 awareness and education must be played by healthcare workers, who directly communicate with patients and serve as role models for healthy behaviors.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; antivirals; infectious diseases; vaccination; viral evolution.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors were members of the Expert Committee on Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diseases. P.R., T.J. and R.F. report consultation and lecture fees from Moderna and Pfizer. E.K. reports consultation and lecture fees from AstraZeneca, GSK, Moderna, Novartis, Novavax, GSK, Pfizer, and Sanofi. A.N.-S. and J.W. report consultation and lecture fees from Astra Zeneca, GSK, Moderna, and Pfizer. J.J. reports consultation and lecture fees from Gilead, Moderna, and Pfizer. L.S. reports grants and lecture fees from GSK and Pfizer.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic (A) and their phylogeny (B). The data and graphs were retrieved from Nextstrain.org [62].
Figure 2
Figure 2
The global death toll of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron during the first 1.5 years of its dominance compared to the pre-Omicron period. Graphs were prepared based on data collected by Our World in Data [5].
Figure 3
Figure 3
Steps of the SARS-CoV-2 replication cycle in the human cell disrupted by oral antivirals nirmatrelvir/ritonavir and molnupiravir and intravenously administrated remdesivir. The scheme was used and modified with permission [27].
Figure 4
Figure 4
The percentage of the population with completed initial COVID-19 vaccination protocol by economic group. Prepared based on data retrieved from Our World in Data [5].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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