South African variant could be problem for vaccine

Previous infection with the coronavirus may offer less protection against the new variant first identified in South Africa, scientists said on Monday, although they hope that vaccines will still work. Studies also found that the variant binds more strongly and readily to human cells. That helps explain why it seems to be spreading 50 per cent quicker than previous versions, leading South African epidemiologist Salim Abdool Karim said. The 501y.v2 variant has been the main driver of a second wave of COVID-19 infections in

South Africa, which hit a new daily peak above 21,000 cases this month. It is one of several new variants found in recent months, which scientists worry are hastening the spread of COVID-19. “Convalescent serum studies suggest natural antibodies are less effective,” Abdool Karim said, “(but) current data suggest the new variant is not more severe.” British scientists and politicians have expressed concern that vaccines being deployed or in development could be less effective against the variant.