Covid
Antibodies raised by Covid-19 vaccine less effective against few Coronavirus variants
Antibodies induced by some COVID-19 vaccines are less effective at neutralising the new circulating variants of the novel coronavirus, such as the ones reported in the UK, Brazil and South Africa – according to a study published in the journal Cell.
It added that the neutralising antibodies induced by the Pfizer and Moderna Covid-19 vaccines were less effective against the coronavirus variants first found in South Africa and Brazil.
As per the scientists, neutralising antibodies work by binding tightly to the virus and preventing it from entering the cells and this way, it prevents infection. That said, this binding only happens when the antibodies and viruses perfectly match, like a key in a lock. Also, if the shape of the virus changes when the antibody attaches to it, the antibody may no longer be able to recognise and neutralise the virus.