JOHANNESBURG – Previous coronavirus infection may offer less protection against the new variant first identified in South Africa, scientists said on Monday, although they hope vaccines will continue to work.
Studies have also found that the new variant binds stronger and more easily to human cells. This helps explain why it appears to be spreading about 50 percent faster than previous versions, said leading South African epidemiologist Salim Abdool Karim.
The 501Y.V2 variant was identified by South African genomics experts late last year. It was the main driver of a second wave of national COVID-19 infections, which reached a new daily peak above 21,000 cases earlier this month.
It is one of several new variants found in recent months, including others first discovered in England and Brazil, and which worries scientists is that the spread of COVID-19 is being accelerated.
“Restorative serum studies suggest that natural antibodies are less effective,” said Abdool Karim, launching the research, “but current data suggest the new variant is not more serious.”
British scientists and politicians have expressed concern that vaccines currently being developed or developed may be less effective against the variant.
Scientists who spoke at the virtual panel on Monday said there was still no clear answer to the question and that the studies were continuing.
“We have cause for concern because the virus has found a way to escape from previous antibodies,” said Alex Sigal, a virologist at the Africa Health Research Institute.
“The world has underestimated this virus. This virus can develop, it adapts to us. ‘
South African researchers have previously said that since vaccines elicit a broad immune response, it is unlikely that the mutations in the ear protein of the variant will completely negate its effect.
The researchers repeated the idea on Monday.
“Our immune systems are extremely smart,” said Willem Hanekom, one of the team. “There may be compensation by other arms of the immune system that allow vaccines to still work”.
The 501Y.V2 variant spread to countries in Europe, Asia, and the Americas, as well as several other African countries, causing some states to impose restrictions on travel to and from South Africa.