Brazilian mutation reinfected COVID-19 survivors, which is bad news for vaccines

[Chris Smith]

Japanese researchers announced the discovery of the Brazilian coronavirus mutation in early January. The P.1 strain was identified in travelers returning to Japan. This came at a time when the world was already worried about the UK (B.1.1.7) and South African (B.1.351) mutations. It looked like the coronavirus was developing more genetic changes all of a sudden, as each of these three variants contained several distinct mutations.

Vaccination campaigns started in mid-December, and the discovery of mutations that were more infectious was cause for concern. In the weeks that followed, we learned that the current vaccines work against the UK variant. More recent data show that the vaccine candidates used in Israel and Great Britain effectively prevent severe illness and death.

The South African strain was worse, as it could evade antibodies from COVID-19 survivors and monoclonal drugs. This indicated the virus might evade the action of existing vaccine variants — Pfizer and Moderna are working on vaccine versions for B.1.351. It turns out that the South African variant isn’t the only one that can reinfect people, though. The P.1 mutation in Brazil is just as dangerous. And scientists worry it might also impact vaccine efficacy.

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Brazilian mutation reinfected COVID-19 survivors, which is bad news for vaccines originally appeared on BGR.com on Tue, 2 Mar 2021 at 18:16:19 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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