Johannesburg:
A new study has shown that folks previously infected by the Covid-19 variant identified in South Africa have greater immunity against other coronavirus mutations, professionals stated Wednesday.
The findings, from preliminary analysis by the group of South African scientists who identified the variant dubbed 501Y.V2, raise hopes that vaccines modelled on the strain could shield against future mutations.
Identified late final year, the variant fuelled South Africa’s second wave of infection and delayed the commence of vaccinations in February.
Scientists stated Wednesday that plasma collected from folks infected with the variant had “good neutralising activity”, which includes against “first wave” viruses and potentially other variants of concern.
After the antibodies have been tested against the original strain and an additional identified in Brazil, “results are showing a clear sense of direction”, virologist Tulio de Oliveira stated in a video conference.
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize told the identical meeting that the discovery was “good news for all” as it presented a large increase to the manage of the pandemic.
Coronavirus mutations — some more contagious — had place a damper on worldwide vaccination programmes soon after current shots have been identified to present much less protection against them.
Manufacturers have in current weeks raced to tweak their formulas in response to the spread of newer variants.
()