South African Covid mutation poses 're-infection risk' which could overpower vaccines, study finds
3 years, 11 months ago

South African Covid mutation poses 're-infection risk' which could overpower vaccines, study finds

Daily Mail  

The South African coronavirus mutation poses a 'significant re-infection risk' and could overpower vaccines, new research has found. Members of the public receive a dose of a Covid-19 vaccine on Wednesday at Salisbury cathedral which has been converted into a temporary vaccination centre Healthcare workers attend to a patient at the Covid-19 Intensive Care Unit of the Hospital Del Mar in Barcelona on Wednesday 'Here we show that the 501Y.V2 lineage, which contains nine spike mutations and rapidly emerged in South Africa during the second half of 2020, is largely resistant to neutralising antibodies elicited by infection with previously circulating lineages,' the authors said. Sir Patrick Vallance, the UK's chief scientific adviser, today said he would expect all vaccines to be less effective in the real world than in trials. Sir Patrick Vallance, the UK's chief scientific adviser, held a television Q&A with members of the public on Sky News this morning And there are signs the English variant of the virus has been spreading in the US for two months already, with it likely to have been in California as early as November 6. 'The full-length Spike protein is 1,273 amino acids long, so while recent variants involve multiple mutations, for instance up to eight amino acid changes in the spike protein of the B.1.1.7 strain, these represent less than a one per cent difference from the spike protein encoded by Moderna's vaccine.

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History of this topic

Highly mutated Covid variant detected in four countries: What experts said
1 year, 4 months ago

Highly mutated Covid variant detected in four countries: What experts said

Hindustan Times  

A new, highly mutated, lineage of the Covid-19 virus – BA.2.86 has been detected by public health authorities in some countries, sparking concerns of a renewed surge in infections. While, at present, there is no evidence if this version spreads faster or causes more serious illness than its previous ones, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged people …

Time of Pandemics
2 years, 9 months ago

Time of Pandemics

Al Jazeera  

Antibodies, vaccine trials and the social factors determining health – what can we learn from the HIV experiences in the global south, in this time of COVID-19? This exploration, by South African filmmaker Rehad Desai, unpicks connections between the two pandemic experiences, from a global south perspective. This HIV vaccine research, and its extensive clinical trial infrastructure in South Africa, …

South Africa accelerates vaccination campaign amid surge
3 years, 1 month ago

South Africa accelerates vaccination campaign amid surge

Associated Press  

JOHANNESBURG — South Africa has accelerated its vaccination campaign by giving jabs at pop-up sites in shopping centers and transportation hubs to combat a rapid rise in new COVID-19 cases a week after the discovery of the omicron variant of the coronavirus. The World Health Organization said in a statement that South Africa has confirmed 172 cases of omicron and …

COVID-19 | Omicron variant poses very high global risk, says WHO
3 years, 1 month ago

COVID-19 | Omicron variant poses very high global risk, says WHO

The Hindu  

The heavily mutated Omicron coronavirus variant is likely to spread internationally and poses a very high risk of infection surges that could have “severe consequences” in some places, the World Health Organization said on Monday. is assessed as very high.” Explained | Understanding the Omicron variant of coronavirus Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, sounded the alarm at the start of …

Explained | Understanding the Omicron variant of coronavirus
3 years, 1 month ago

Explained | Understanding the Omicron variant of coronavirus

The Hindu  

The story so far: A new lineage of SARS-CoV-2 has been identified in samples sequenced and deposited in public domain from Botswana, South Africa and Hong Kong and was assigned as B.1.1.529. The Omicron variant is interesting due to the fact that it has a large number of mutations compared to other prevalent variants circulating across the world. The variant …

Infographic: How Omicron compares with other COVID variants
3 years, 1 month ago

Infographic: How Omicron compares with other COVID variants

Al Jazeera  

WHO says preliminary evidence indicates an ‘increased risk of reinfection with Omicron’ compared with other coronavirus variants, but information is limited. Scientists have said that similar mutations seen in other variants have been associated with higher transmission and a higher chance of escaping the body’s immune defences, compared with the original strain of the virus. Preliminary evidence suggests there may …

Omicron coronavirus variant raises questions among scientists
3 years, 1 month ago

Omicron coronavirus variant raises questions among scientists

Live Mint  

The fast-spreading Omicron coronavirus variant recently identified in South Africa has virologists and health authorities on edge because of its many mutations, but much about its infectiousness and virulence remains unknown. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday that Omicron hadn’t been identified in the U.S. “The U.S. variant surveillance system has reliably detected new variants in this …

South African president calls for lifting of Omicron travel bans
3 years, 1 month ago

South African president calls for lifting of Omicron travel bans

Al Jazeera  

Cyril Ramaphosa says travel restrictions ‘scientifically unjustified’ as more countries report cases of new, highly mutated variant. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on countries to “urgently” reverse “scientifically unjustified” travel restrictions linked to the discovery of a new variant of the coronavirus. “These restrictions are unjustified and unfairly discriminate against our country and our southern African sister countries.” …

'Some reactions actually unjustified': South Africa over travel ban by nations amid new COVID variant 'Omicron
3 years, 1 month ago

'Some reactions actually unjustified': South Africa over travel ban by nations amid new COVID variant 'Omicron

India TV News  

Highlights WHO has named the new COVID-19 variant B.1.1.529 as 'Omicron Several nations have already announced a ban on travellers from South Africa India has also said travellers would need to follow additional measures on arrival in the country As several countries have decided to impose restrictions on travellers from South Africa amid concerns over the detection of the 'Omicron' …

COVID-19: New variant from South Africa sends panic waves across the world | Key developments
3 years, 1 month ago

COVID-19: New variant from South Africa sends panic waves across the world | Key developments

India TV News  

Highlights The U.K. banned flights from South Africa and five other southern African countries Fauci said U.S. public health officials were talking Friday with South African colleagues. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said flights will have to “be suspended until we have a clear understanding about the danger posed by this new variant, and travelers returning from this …

New Covid-19 Variant Detected in South Africa Triggers Global Alarm as WHO Urges Caution
3 years, 1 month ago

New Covid-19 Variant Detected in South Africa Triggers Global Alarm as WHO Urges Caution

News 18  

Global authorities reacted with alarm on Friday to a new coronavirus variant detected in South Africa, with the EU and Britain among those tightening border controls as researchers sought to find out if the mutation was vaccine-resistant. Hours after Britain https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/britain-says-new-covid-19-variant-is-most-significant-yet-found-2021-11-26 banned flights from South Africa and neighbouring countries and asked travellers returning from there to quarantine, the World Health …

Explained | What is the new coronavirus variant in South Africa?
3 years, 1 month ago

Explained | What is the new coronavirus variant in South Africa?

The Hindu  

What do we know about Omicron, the new coronavirus variant in South Africa? Formally known as B.1.1.529, the World Health Organisation had designated it as a Variant of Concern, that indicates it is quite likely to be extremely transmissible and potentially replace the dominant Delta variant. The South African Health Ministry said in a briefing that the variant so far …

How dangerous is the New Covid variant found in S.Africa? Symptoms, Treatment and all you should know
3 years, 1 month ago

How dangerous is the New Covid variant found in S.Africa? Symptoms, Treatment and all you should know

India TV News  

Highlights The new coronavirus variant found in South Africa is identified as B.1.1.529 It has more than 30 mutations, the most ever recorded in a variant and twice as many as Delta This new covid variant might make the virus more resistant to vaccines Just when the world was getting back to normal, a new coronavirus variant - B.1.1.529 - …

WHO to meet on Friday to assess new COVID-19 variant detected in South Africa
3 years, 1 month ago

WHO to meet on Friday to assess new COVID-19 variant detected in South Africa

Deccan Chronicle  

United Nations/Geneva: The World Health Organization is monitoring the new coronavirus variant B.1.1.529 first detected in South Africa and will hold a "special meeting" on Friday to discuss if the heavily mutated strain will become a variant of interest or a variant of concern, a top official said. Kerkhove said WHO colleagues in South Africa are planning to undertake a …

WHO to hold 'special meeting' over new COVID-19 variant detected in South Africa
3 years, 1 month ago

WHO to hold 'special meeting' over new COVID-19 variant detected in South Africa

India TV News  

Highlights The latest variant is the most heavily mutated version discovered so far The new variant has been red-flagged by scientists over an alarmingly high number of spike mutations To date, more than 227 million vaccine doses have been administered in Africa. The World Health Organisation is monitoring the new coronavirus variant B.1.1.529 first detected in South Africa and will …

Frequent mutations, rapid spread: All about the new coronavirus variant in South Africa
3 years, 1 month ago

Frequent mutations, rapid spread: All about the new coronavirus variant in South Africa

Hindustan Times  

A new coronavirus variant detected in South Africa's most populous Guanteng district has sent governments around the world in a state of high alert – especially in view of the fact that the variant, according to infectious diseases experts, displays a high number of mutations and rapid spread among young people. The new coronavirus variant detected in South Africa, currently …

South Africa Finds New Variant Of COVID-19 With 'Constellation Of Mutations'
3 years, 1 month ago

South Africa Finds New Variant Of COVID-19 With 'Constellation Of Mutations'

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING The United States and the European Union joined the United Kingdom and other nations on Friday to restrict air travel from the southern region of Africa due to fears over a new variant of the coronavirus found in South Africa. The US must find out if its vaccines respond to the new Covid-19 variant detected in South …

South African scientists detect new virus variant amid spike
3 years, 1 month ago

South African scientists detect new virus variant amid spike

The Hindu  

A new coronavirus variant has been detected in South Africa that scientists say is a concern because of its high number of mutations and rapid spread among young people in Gauteng, the country's most populous province, Health Minister Joe Phaahla announced on November 25. U.K. Health Secretary Sajid Javid said there were concerns the new variant “may be more transmissible” …

The EU wants to stop flights from southern Africa over a new COVID variant
3 years, 1 month ago

The EU wants to stop flights from southern Africa over a new COVID variant

NPR  

The EU wants to stop flights from southern Africa over a new COVID variant Enlarge this image toggle caption Denis Farrell/AP Denis Farrell/AP BRUSSELS — The European Union said Friday it is planning to stop air travel from southern Africa to counter the spread of a new COVID-19 variant as the 27-nation bloc is battling a massive spike in cases. …

What do we know about the new COVID strain found in South Africa?
3 years, 1 month ago

What do we know about the new COVID strain found in South Africa?

Al Jazeera  

The discovery of new variant with a high number of mutations raises concerns about COVID-19 transmissions, triggering travel restrictions. A new COVID-19 variant detected in South Africa with a high number of mutations has raised concerns among scientists and triggered travel restrictions by a number of countries amid fears of coronavirus transmissions. South Africa Health Minister Joe Phaahla said the …

WHO discusses new Covid variant possibly evolved in untreated AIDS patient. What we know so far
3 years, 1 month ago

WHO discusses new Covid variant possibly evolved in untreated AIDS patient. What we know so far

Hindustan Times  

World Health Organization officials on Thursday met to discuss a new coronavirus variant carrying an “unusual constellation of mutations”. The coronavirus variant B.1.1529 has been identified circulating in South Africa and Botswana, triggering fresh concerns of another Covid-19 wave in the region. South Africa was the first country to detect the Beta variant, which was later labelled as a ‘variant …

‘Serious concern’ as South Africa detects new coronavirus variant
3 years, 1 month ago

‘Serious concern’ as South Africa detects new coronavirus variant

Al Jazeera  

South African Health Minister Joe Phaahla says the variant is behind an ‘exponential’ increase in COVID infections. “Unfortunately we have detected a new variant which is a reason for concern in South Africa,” Tulio de Oliveira, from the Network for Genomic Surveillance in South Africa, told a news conference. Health Minister Joe Phaahla said the variant was of “serious concern” …

South African scientists detect new virus variant amid spike
3 years, 1 month ago

South African scientists detect new virus variant amid spike

LA Times  

A baby cries as her mother receives her Pfizer vaccine against COVID-19 in Diepsloot Township near Johannesburg, South Africa, on Oct. 21, 2021. A new coronavirus variant has been detected in South Africa that scientists say is a concern because of its high number of mutations and rapid spread among young people in Gauteng, the country’s most populous province, Health …

The story of how a mystifying novel coronavirus variant, Delta, has India and the globe in its grip
3 years, 3 months ago

The story of how a mystifying novel coronavirus variant, Delta, has India and the globe in its grip

The Hindu  

Early this February, it looked like India was celebrating its happiest month since March 2020. It had all the defining mutations associated with its parent, but later analysis revealed that most of the cases linked with India’s devastating second wave weren’t Kappa, but a sibling lineage, B.1.617.2, christened by WHO as ‘Delta’. “In fact, Delta has been around since October …

Explainer: New COVID–19 infections cause mutations and are the main driver of new variants, not vaccines
3 years, 3 months ago

Explainer: New COVID–19 infections cause mutations and are the main driver of new variants, not vaccines

Firstpost  

Nearly all mutations that occur are harmless glitches that don’t change how the virus works – some can harm the virus while a small fraction may make the virus more infectious. But how mutations, random chance and natural selection produce variants is a complicated process, and there has been a lot of confusion about how and why new variants emerge. …

What is the C.1.2 coronavirus variant — and should we be worried?
3 years, 4 months ago

What is the C.1.2 coronavirus variant — and should we be worried?

LA Times  

Residents from the Alexandra township in Johannesburg gather in a stadium to be tested for COVID-19. Scientists have been conducting genomic surveillance on samples from routine coronavirus tests conducted in public and private labs in South Africa — and in C.1.2 they’ve found a collection of worrisome mutations that, in other variants of concern and variants of interest, are thought …

Is Mu variant of coronavirus vaccine resistant? WHO says it could be possible
3 years, 4 months ago

Is Mu variant of coronavirus vaccine resistant? WHO says it could be possible

Hindustan Times  

The World Health Organization has said that the new coronavirus variant 'Mu' showed signs of possible resistance to vaccines. It also said that the variant’s prevalence should be interpreted with "due consideration" as all nations do not have proper sequencing facilities. It said that the preliminary data showed that Mu behaved in a similar way like the Beta variant when …

No need to worry about new C.1.2 variant found in South Africa, advises a virologist
3 years, 4 months ago

No need to worry about new C.1.2 variant found in South Africa, advises a virologist

Firstpost  

Don’t amplify or pay attention to obvious alarmism and extreme negativity, and make sure you’re getting your information from media sources that are trustworthy. We need to see how a certain variant works in humans to give us an idea of whether it’s more transmissible, causes more severe disease or escapes the immunity we get from vaccines more than other …

New Covid Variant C.1.2 May Be More Infectious, Evade Vaccines, Warns Maha Task Force
3 years, 4 months ago

New Covid Variant C.1.2 May Be More Infectious, Evade Vaccines, Warns Maha Task Force

News 18  

A new variant of coronavirus – C.1.2 – which has been detected in South Africa and some other countries, could be more infectious than earlier strains and may evade vaccines, said an infectious diseases consultant who is also a member of the Maharashtra COVID-19 task force on Thursday. Dr Vasant Nagvekar, an infectious diseases consultant with a Mumbai hospital and …

New Covid variant, C.1.2, may be more infectious, evade vaccine protection: Study
3 years, 4 months ago

New Covid variant, C.1.2, may be more infectious, evade vaccine protection: Study

Deccan Chronicle  

New Delhi: A new variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus which cause COVID-19, has been detected in South Africa and many other countries globally which could be more transmissible and evade protection provided by vaccines, according to study. Scientists from National Institute for Communicable Diseases and the KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform in South Africa said the potential variant of …

New Covid variant, C.1.2, may be more infectious, evade vaccine protection: Study
3 years, 4 months ago

New Covid variant, C.1.2, may be more infectious, evade vaccine protection: Study

India TV News  

A new variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus which cause COVID-19, has been detected in South Africa and many other countries globally which could be more transmissible and evade protection provided by vaccines, according to study. Scientists from National Institute for Communicable Diseases and the KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform in South Africa said the potential variant of interest, C.1.2, …

South Africa detects new Covid variant C.1.2
3 years, 4 months ago

South Africa detects new Covid variant C.1.2

India TV News  

South Africa has identified a potential variant of interest of Covid-19 that is assigned to the PANGO lineage C.1.2. C.1.2 was first identified in May 2021 during the third wave of Covid in the country, said researchers from the country's National Institute for Communicable Diseases and the KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform. The variant has evolved from C.1, one …

Africa on 'destructive pathway' due to Delta variant, says WHO amid record surge
3 years, 5 months ago

Africa on 'destructive pathway' due to Delta variant, says WHO amid record surge

Hindustan Times  

African is witnessing an unprecedented resurgence of coronavirus disease cases as the third wave of the pandemic continues its “destructive pathway” in the continent, the World Health Organization said on Thursday. This week, Africa reached the sombre milestone of six million Covid-19 cases amid a low vaccination rate. “We’ve seen hospital admissions in around 10 countries increase rapidly and at …

From Alpha, Beta, Gamma to Delta: What we know of coronavirus mutations so far
3 years, 6 months ago

From Alpha, Beta, Gamma to Delta: What we know of coronavirus mutations so far

Live Mint  

Viruses mutate all the time, including the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that’s caused the Covid-19 pandemic. University of Florida researchers found that for the Covid vaccines being rolled out on a global scale, the alpha strain led to “somewhat reduced” efficacy compared with the wild strain, while the beta and gamma variants led to considerably lower efficacy, they said in a paper …

COVID-19 Delta variant detected in 96 countries: WHO
3 years, 6 months ago

COVID-19 Delta variant detected in 96 countries: WHO

China Daily  

A woman receives a nasal swab, from a health worker wearing personal protective equipment, to be tested for COVID-19 at the Fourways Life Hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa on June 28, 2021. GENEVA -- The Delta COVID-19 variant, first identified in India, has already been detected in 96 countries, 11 more than last week, the World Health Organization said in …

South Africa announces sweeping coronavirus rules in face of variant-driven third wave
3 years, 6 months ago

South Africa announces sweeping coronavirus rules in face of variant-driven third wave

LA Times  

Members of the Tshwane Special Infectious Unit on COVID-19 pick up a suspected COVID-19 patient in Pretoria, South Africa, during the country’s second wave of coronavirus infections on Jan. 15. South Africa is imposing a sweeping set of new coronavirus restrictions as the country faces a third, variant-driven wave of infection that threatens to outpace the previous two. “The peak …

'Vaccines Losing Effect Against Delta Variant': WHO Official Warns of Constellation of Mutations
3 years, 6 months ago

'Vaccines Losing Effect Against Delta Variant': WHO Official Warns of Constellation of Mutations

News 18  

The existing vaccines om Covid-19 vaccines have showed reduced signs of efficacy against the Delta variant of coronavirus, which was first detected in India, World Health Organization epidemiologist said on Monday. WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan had earlier said that B.1.617.2 Delta variant is becoming the dominant variant globally because of its increased transmissibility. “The whole situation is so dynamic …

Covid vaccines against Delta variant seen losing efficacy: WHO epidemiologist
3 years, 6 months ago

Covid vaccines against Delta variant seen losing efficacy: WHO epidemiologist

Live Mint  

The World Health Organisation on Monday raised another alarm on the fast-spreading highly infectious Delta variant of Covid-19 saying that some signs of reduced efficacy of Covid vaccine can be seen against the variant. WHO epidemiologist said, "Seeing some reduced efficacy of vaccines against delta coronavirus variant but they still effective at preventing severe disease and death." The Delta plus …

Indian labs widen net for new form of Delta variant
3 years, 6 months ago

Indian labs widen net for new form of Delta variant

The Hindu  

An emerging form of the Delta variant that allows the coronavirus to “escape” antibodies, in recently approved treatment regimes, is appearing on the radar of Indian scientists. “It has all the mutations that make the Delta variant along with an additional concerning one with the South African variant,” said Shahid Jameel, former advisor to the Indian SARS-CoV2 Genomic Consortia. “It …

As COVID-19 collides with HIV/AIDS, the pandemic may be taking an ominous turn
3 years, 7 months ago

As COVID-19 collides with HIV/AIDS, the pandemic may be taking an ominous turn

LA Times  

A nurse talks to a patient who is HIV-positive in Ngodwana, South Africa. While the South African patient was diagnosed with HIV back in 2006, doctors had been unable to control her viral load with standard antiretroviral therapy, and her immune system’s population of CD4+ T cells — which may play a role in clearing coronavirus infection — were very …

No evidence COVID-19 vaccines create new virus variants
3 years, 7 months ago

No evidence COVID-19 vaccines create new virus variants

Associated Press  

CLAIM: The variants of the coronavirus that have been found in the global population were created by COVID-19 vaccines, which made antibodies that forced the virus to evolve. “Bombshell: Nobel Prize Winner Reveals - Covid Vaccine is ‘Creating Variants,’” reads the headline of the article, which has been shared more than 6,000 times on Facebook since May 18. The article …

No Covid variant has emerged so far that undermines vaccine efficacy, but...: WHO chief's word of caution
3 years, 7 months ago

No Covid variant has emerged so far that undermines vaccine efficacy, but...: WHO chief's word of caution

India Today  

Amid growing concerns over virulent strains of SARS-CoV-2, the World Health Organisation has said no Covid-19 variants have emerged that undermine the efficacy of vaccines. The virus is constantly changing,” said WHO chief Tedros in his opening remarks at the 74th World Health Assembly on Thursday. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged member states to support a “sprint to September” to vaccinate …

Spreads Faster, May Be Less Responsive to Treatment, Vaccine: How Worrying is the New Variant?
3 years, 7 months ago

Spreads Faster, May Be Less Responsive to Treatment, Vaccine: How Worrying is the New Variant?

News 18  

For the first time in months, people across England are meeting indoors at pubs, restaurants, cinemas, gyms and elsewhere as coronavirus rules were relaxed this week. But Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned Britons to be cautious and some of the scientists advising him say restrictions might need to be re-imposed quickly because of a worrying variant first detected in India. …

COVID variant B.1.617, first detected in India, is forcing UK to rethink its approach
3 years, 7 months ago

COVID variant B.1.617, first detected in India, is forcing UK to rethink its approach

Firstpost  

While Britain would not delay plans to ease restrictions on Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that the spread of the variant could force the government to change course London: Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain said Friday that vaccination protocols would be changed to swiftly deliver second doses to people over 50 years old to combat the spread of …

Vaccines not totally ineffective on Indian variant: Study
3 years, 7 months ago

Vaccines not totally ineffective on Indian variant: Study

Hindustan Times  

The Indian variant B.1.617 can “modestly” evade the neutralising antibodies produced after vaccination, but its two mutations do not have an additive impact on loss of sensitivity, according to a molecular study of the variant conducted by Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortia in collaboration with researchers from UK. The yet-to-be peer-reviewed article uploaded on biorxiv shows that immune evasion of the …

B.1.617 variant of concern at global level: WHO
3 years, 7 months ago

B.1.617 variant of concern at global level: WHO

Hindustan Times  

The coronavirus B.1.617 is a global variant of concern, the World Health Organization said on Monday as scientists reported new clues that suggest the mutations first seen in India may be making the pathogen more transmissible. “There is some available information to suggest increased transmissibility of the B.1.617,” Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO’s lead on Covid-19, said. “There is some …

WHO declares coronavirus mutation in India ‘variant of concern’
3 years, 8 months ago

WHO declares coronavirus mutation in India ‘variant of concern’

Al Jazeera  

UN health agency classifies the coronavirus mutation detected in India as ‘a variant of concern at the global level’. WHO’s senior scientist Maria Van Kerkhove said on Monday that there was “some available information to suggest increased transmissibility of B.1.617”, the variant detected in India. “So there’s really no need to change any of those, and in fact … people …

South Africa Detects First Cases of Coronavirus Variant from India
3 years, 8 months ago

South Africa Detects First Cases of Coronavirus Variant from India

News 18  

South Africa’s health ministry said on Saturday it had detected the first four cases of a new coronavirus variant that emerged in India and was responsible for a surge of infections and deaths in the Asian country. Testing had also picked up 11 cases of the variant B.1.1.7 first detected in the UK, the health ministry said in a statement. …

Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine is Effective Against Variants: Studies
3 years, 8 months ago

Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine is Effective Against Variants: Studies

The Quint  

On 5 May, two studies from Qatar and Israel found that the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID vaccine was effective against severe diseases caused by the UK and South Africa variants. The two studies were based on the real-world use of the vaccines and saw effectiveness against severe disease, pneumonia and death, reported the New York Times. For example, South Africa halted the …

Indian scientists flag virus mutations that could evade immune response
3 years, 8 months ago

Indian scientists flag virus mutations that could evade immune response

India Today  

A forum of scientific advisers set up by the Indian government has told authorities about minor mutations in some samples of the coronavirus that could “possibly evade immune response” and require more study, a leader of the forum has told Reuters. The World Health Organization has not declared the Indian variant a “variant of concern,” as it has done for …

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