According to two preliminary studies, the vaccine developed by the pharmaceutical groups Pfizer and BioNTech would be effective against the new variants, especially the British variant.
The Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine, effective against variants?
According to Inserm, the English variant of Covid-19 could become “ dominant “In France from here” end of February / mid-March “. An international team of researchers from British and Dutch universities has therefore carried out two preliminary studies to determine whether the vaccine is effective against the new variants, in particular the English variant. For the first time, they analyzed the reaction of the vaccine with the plasma of 36 patients who were infected with Covid-19, regardless of the level of severity of the disease. ” The majority of samples “Succeeded in” neutralize “The variant, although his” power Has been reduced. “ Our results suggest that the majority of vaccine responses should be effective against the B.1.1.7 variant. Say the scientists.
The second study, carried out on 16 participants, attests to a level of neutralization “ equivalent “. The participants’ plasma this time came into contact with the new variants of SARS-CoV-2. The researchers therefore indicate that it is ” unlikely “Than the English variant” escapes protection Of the vaccine.
Adaptation to new variants
Otherwise, the Pfizer / BioNTech group counts the “ flexibility Of the technology of this messenger RNA vaccine, adapting the vaccine to new variants. According to researchers at BioNTech / Pfizer, the vaccine is therefore effective in combating a ” key mutation Like the new British, South African and Brazilian variants. In all cases, scientists have indicated that it is ” important to continue to monitor variants and to assess in vitro their impact on neutralization “.
