Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Shows Reduced Neutralization Against South African SARS-CoV-2 Variant, Study in Cell Host & Microbe Reports

Mar 25, 2021 00:38 CST Updated 00:38

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Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

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March 25, 2021 / Bioon --- According to a recent study, researchers from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) found that the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine has reduced efficacy against the South African variant, whereas its neutralizing capacity remains high against the UK variant and the original SARS-CoV-2 strain.

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Their research was recently published in the journal Cell Host & Microbe.

Dr. Ran Taube, principal investigator in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics at the Faculty of Health Sciences and author of the article, stated, “Our findings suggest that as the virus mutates, future variants may require improved vaccines to counter their increased transmissibility.”

BGU Scientists Assess Vaccine Efficacy Against the Original Virus Strain, UK and South African Variants, and Strains with Mutations in the Viral Spike Protein

Dr. Taube and his team also evaluated neutralizing antibody levels after one and two doses of the vaccine. They found that vaccination provides optimal protection compared to the levels observed in recovered patients. Researchers are continuing to test for the emergence of other circulating variants, which may affect vaccine efficacy. (Bioon.com)

Source:Pfizer vaccine less effective against South African variant, study finds

Original Source:Alona Kuzmina et al, SARS CoV-2 spike variants exhibit differential infectivity and neutralization resistance to convalescent or post-vaccination sera, Cell Host & Microbe (2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2021.03.008