Here’s why the South African coronavirus mutation is even worse than UK strain

[Chris Smith]

• Dr. Scott Gottlieb said in an interview that the South African coronavirus mutation might evade the action of antibody drugs, citing a recent study.
• A few weeks ago, the 501.V2 mutation was observed in South Africa, becoming the dominant strain in some regions.
• British officials said earlier this week they’re more worried about the South African strain than the UK coronavirus mutation, as the former might evade vaccines.

British health officials said earlier this week that the UK coronavirus mutation the world is so worried about might not be as bad as the South African mutation. Dubbed 501.V2, the latter might evade vaccines.

Vaccines will work on the B.1.1.7 strain that’s largely responsible for the massive COVID-19 outbreak in the UK right now. Health experts like Dr. Anthony Fauci said in recent interviews that COVID-19 survivors aren’t likely to be infected with B.1.1.7, which is an indication that neutralizing antibodies and other COVID-19-specific immune cells still work against the UK mutation. That implies vaccines would also continue to be effective against the strain. BioNTech and Moderna said in statements that they believe the vaccines will work against the mutation.

Former FDA chief Dr. Scott Gottlieb said in an interview that the South African strain is indeed worrisome, going further than British officials to explain the problem. Apparently, 501.V2 can avoid antibody drugs, which isn’t good news.

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Here’s why the South African coronavirus mutation is even worse than UK strain originally appeared on BGR.com on Wed, 6 Jan 2021 at 09:00:48 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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