Tags: 
True or false: Virus variants weaken the effectiveness of COVID 19 Vaccine
Coronavirus vaccines have significantly reduced the infectiousness of COVID 19 cases and showed significant protective efficacy against COVID 19.
However, the recent reported COVID19 variants B.1.1.7 in the UK and B.1.351 in South Africa are of concern because of their more accessible and faster transmission than the original strain. Especially, the substantial mutations in the spike protein have been identified in those two variants.
In the study published by Nature on March 8, 2021, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03398-2, B.1.1.7 is resistant to neutralization by most monoclonal antibodies against the N-terminal domain of the spike protein. Besides, it is relatively stubborn to a few monoclonal antibodies against the receptor-binding domain. But it is not more resistant to the plasma or sera extracted from individuals recovered from COVID 19 infection or vaccinated against COVID 19.
By comparison, the B.1.351 variant is refractory to neutralization by multiple individual monoclonal antibodies against the receptor-binding domain and the majority of monoclonal antibodies targeting the N-terminal domain. Moreover, B.1.351 is distinctly more resistant to neutralization by plasma from individuals who have been retrieved from COVID 19 (9.4-fold) and sera from individuals who have been vaccinated by either Pfizer or Moderna vaccine (10.3–12.4-fold) compared to the original strain of COVID 19.
According to the study results, the B.1.351. variants in South Africa cause significant resistance to the neutralization by monoclonal antibodies targeting spike protein and bring challenges for the protective efficacy of the current vaccines based on viral spike protein. Furthermore, the diffusion of the COVID 19 variants might diminish the vaccine’s anti-epidemic influence.
Developing a vaccine with an excellent cross-protection effect against multiple variants is imminent to protect public health.
# Virus #variants #COVID19 #vaccine #effectiveness #B.1.1.7 #B.1.351 #monoclonal #antibodies #convalescent #plasma #Pfizer #Moderna
Specializing in rare disease, Boston Biotech Clinical Research works with biotech, pharmaceutical, device companies and investors to streamline the clinical trial process. Our experienced team helps each client reach their specific goals by customizing a clinical and regulatory road map of simplified programs and streamlined protocols to meet our clients’ requirements.