Preliminary laboratory tests conducted by BioNTech and Pfizer hint their vaccine may be effective against the new coronavirus strain discovered in the UK.
BioNTech Pfizer vaccine
Photo: US Secretary of Defence / Wikimedia Commons Licence: CC BY
There have been concerns in the UK that the new strain could possibly be immune to the vaccines owing to the significant number of mutations it has undergone which could potentially allow it to bypass the immune response of the jab.
Read more: UK vaccine production may face supply disruption
However, BioNTech research found the vaccine antibodies neutralised the strain in 16 of the patients tested, some of whom were over 55 years of age.
In a study released by the companies, the two parties found there was “no biologically significant difference in neutralisation activity” between the two strains.
This study has yet to be peer-reviewed.
This is the first test of its kind to be performed by a major vaccine maker. AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford are also currently conducting tests into their vaccine's response to the strain.
Moderna is also reportedly undertaking similar tests.
Both companies admitted vaccine manufacturers should remain vigilant owing to the rapid mutations of Covid-19 strains and should continually test to make sure no new strains develop an immunity.
Researchers in South Africa have warned the vaccines may not be effective against a newer strain, which is primarily responsible for the second strain in the country.
Salim Abdool Karim, South Africa's Covid-19 advisor said: “Vaccine antibodies are different and may or may not be impacted. We have no empirical evidence yet on whether vaccines are effective against the 501Y.V2 variant. Studies are underway.”
BioNTech and Pfizer have recently slowed down supply for their vaccine in order to begin a ramp-up in production, with the aims of producing 2 billion doses by the end of the year.
Read more: BioNTech & Pfizer to boost production of vaccine doses to 2bn
The UK has vaccinated nearly 4 million people with the vaccine and officials hope that, once the supply hitches fix themselves, 2 million inoculations a week may be possible.
The EU currently has seven vaccines approved for rollout, with an eighth currently awaiting verification.
Should vaccines become less effective due to mutation, companies will need to alter the vaccines, which could disrupt current global supply.
South America is currently facing a supply disruption owing to KHL Dutch Airlines ceasing long-haul flights due to new restrictions on travel from the Netherlands.
BioNTech has revealed in the past it could tweak its vaccine to handle a new strain within six weeks, but it is ultimately the regulators who decide whether these new variations would suffice.
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