Pfizer Inc and BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine appeared to work against a key mutation in the highly transmissible new variant of the coronavirus discovered in the UK and South Africa.
The new kind of virus B.1.1.7 which emerged in England and South Africa by the end of 2020, is highly contagious, between 40% to 70% than normal variants of the virus.
According to new research in America, it has been found out that the vaccine, developed by the Pfizer/BioNTech is useful against this mutated virus.
The results of the experts of Pfizer and Taxes University said that new virus with reference to the effects of corona vaccine, developed by Pfizer and BioNTech proved to be fruitful.
Read more: Moderna CEO says vaccine likely to protect for ‘couple of years’
The Pfizer, BioNTech which is being effectively used all over the world relies on the body’s production of a particular part of the virus, the spike protein which the immune system learns to kill. The mutation in the variant and South Africa variant directly affect the virus’ spike protein, it was apprehended that it will not render the vaccine ineffective against the mutant versions.
Now the BioNTech gave its view that the research, done by Pfizer and the University of Texas Medical Branch “indicates that the key N501Y mutation which is found in the emerging UK and South Africa variant does not create resistance to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine-induced immune responses.”
The authors of the study are of the view that the findings are limited as the mutated variant tested “does not include the full set of spike mutations found on the rapidly spreading strains in the UK and South Africa.”
Meanwhile, Eleanor Riley, the professor of immunology and Infectious Diseases at the University of Edinburg opined that this is good news as mRNA vaccine could prove effective against numerous mutated variants.
Stephan Evans, the Professor of Pharmacoepidemiology at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicines said, “Had the opposite result been found that the vaccine did not seem to have efficacy against then variation of the virus studies that would have been bad and very concerning.”
An officer of the World Health Organization had said earlier that research against the new kind of Coronavirus is on the way. The research carried out so far is although on limited scope yet the results are highly encouraging, therefore “There is nothing to worry about.”
