Will vaccine work on the new COVID-19 variant spreading in the U.K.?

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Scientists at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research expect to know in the coming days if the new UK coronavirus variant may be reluctant to vaccine.
• In August, Walter Reed published a study that the vaccines still worked against several other mutations of the coronavirus.
• British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced holiday lockdowns in some parts where the spread of the new mutation is observed.

There’s a mutated variant of the coronavirus that’s quickly spreading in parts of England, and scientists at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research are examining if the coronavirus vaccines will be effective in this new variant.

Dr. Nelson Michael, director of the Center for Infectious Diseases Research at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, said though that “this mutation isn’t a threat.” However, he still expressed that “we still have to be diligent and continue to look.”

On Thursday, the group of scientists started inspecting genetic sequences of the new UK variant through a computer analysis. Once they have gauged the concern through the initial analysis, a laboratory study should be done next to determine if the vaccine will work on the mutated virus.

The two authorized vaccines by the US Food and Drug Administration — one by Pfizer and the other by Moderna — work by creating a genetic blueprint for the spikes that appear on the surface of the novel coronavirus. The immune system “sees” the spikes and learns how to attack it.

The new strains of the virus carries a genetic fingerprint that makes it easy to track, but it does not mean that it is more dangerous and spreads more easily.

Several experts in the genetics and epidemiology of viruses are saying that it could be just a “lucky” strain that has been intensified due to a superspreader event.

In August, the Walter Reed team published a study on the vaccines effectiveness against several other mutations.

Dr. William Schaffner, an advisor to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccines, said: “Even with mutations, the virus essentially stays the same. It’s like with a person. I can switch out my brown coat for a gray coat, but I’m still Bill Schaffner. I’ve changed something, but I’m still the same person.”

The spread of the new mutation pushed officials to place holiday lockdowns in parts of England. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the lockdown at a Saturday press conference.

“There’s no evidence to suggest the vaccine will be any less effective against the new variant. Our experts will continue their work to improve our understanding as fast as we can,” the prime minister said.

Source: CNN