andyguitar
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As Covid variants are a hot topic at the moment I thought a thread on that subject might give us all an idea about what is going on.
Current data suggests it does.Have we heard anything from the scientists about whether the Pfizer vaccine works against the South African variant?
Current data suggests it does.
It's to soon to be certain about this, but from lab research it seems the vaccines currently in use do provoke an antibody response against the variants. But the response may be less effective. However its still enough to stop serious disease or death. Only time will tell if these results are seen in the "real world" as scientists over here like to say.One thing I'm curious about is whether vaccines may provide some degree of protection against the variants, even if it's not perfect protection, and still make severe disease less likely.
Our scientists in Oxford are currently developing an updated version of the Astra Zenica/Oxford vaccine. Sounds like the strategy will be to use it as a booster in the autumn against the known variants. I have absolute confidence in the people behind this.Experts say that it is not a foregone conclusion that vaccines currently in use will remain effective against possible new variants of the virus in the future.
Our scientists in Oxford are currently developing an updated version of the Astra Zenica/Oxford vaccine. Sounds like the strategy will be to use it as a booster in the autumn against the known variants. I have absolute confidence in the people behind this.
Once enough of the worlds population gets vaccinated, these mutations will slow and hopefully the worry of Covid will be behind us shortly there after.
Some new data about the Indian variant has been released by UK GOV. It is almost certain to be 40% more transmissible. Our lockdown was due to end on 21st June. This might be delayed now.The latest thoughts from our Governments scientific advisors is that the Indian variant may be 50% more transmissible than the dominant strain in the UK, which is the "Kent variant".