In a study led by researchers from America, it has been told that the existing vaccines are less effective on the beta variant.
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A study was done on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein that causes COVID-19 and its results are frightening. In fact, the currently existing vaccine against the beta variant found for the first time in South Africa may be less effective. The spike proteins on the surface of SARS-COV-2 enable the virus to attach to and enter our cells. All currently existing vaccines have been used against them.
This study has been published in the journal Science on 24 June. In this, using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) the beta variant was compared with the spike protein of the original virus found in China in 2019. Apart from this, the spike protein of the original virus was also compared to the alpha variant, which was first detected in Britain. Cryo-EM is an imaging technique used to quantify biomolecular structures at atomic resolution.
Vaccinated people can also get infected
The results, led by researchers from Boston Children’s Hospital in the US, show that mutations in the beta variant alter the shape of the spike surface at certain locations. The result is that the antibodies produced through the current vaccine are less able to control the beta variant. In such a situation, the virus gets a chance to infiltrate the immune system and this becomes possible in the body of vaccinated people too. The beta variant is also known as B.1.351.
Booster will get protection from beta variants
Bing Chen, of Boston Children’s Hospital’s Division of Molecular Medicine, said the mutations make the antibodies produced by current vaccines less effective. Chen said the beta variant is somewhat resistant to current vaccines. We think that a booster with the new genetic sequence may be beneficial to protect against this variant. The researchers also found that mutations in the beta variant make Spike less effective at binding to ACE2. In this case, this variant spreads less than the alpha variant.
Vaccines are effective on alpha variants
At the same time, the study of the alpha variant (B.1.1.7) found that genetic changes in its spike make the virus better binding to ACE2. Because of this it becomes more contagious. However, according to the researchers of this study, testing has shown that currently existing vaccines can control this variant. At the same time, this research team is doing research on other variants of concern including Delta Variant.
Also read: How will Corona’s dangerous ‘Delta Plus variant’ be protected? WHO told these things as a weapon to fight Variant
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