The fear that the vaccines could lose their effectiveness is growing due to the newly emerging corona variants. A super vaccine could also work against all mutants.
Currently the Delta-Variant from Coronavirus the dominant one in Germany. It makes up almost 99 percent of new infections in this country. Various studies have come to the conclusion that the effectiveness of the approved vaccines against this mutant could be somewhat reduced.
However, a study from Singapore published in the New England Journal of Medicine gives researchers hope that a vaccine could be developed that is effective against all known and even against future variants.
The key lies in SARS-CoV-1
The study looked at the antibodies from people who were infected with SARS-CoV-1 and who had recovered. That Virus is considered the predecessor virus of SARS-CoV-2 and killed around 800 people worldwide in 2002/2003. All subjects were given the vaccine from Biontech vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2.
SARS-Cov1 and 2 are closely related. Its structure shows the spike protein typical of Corona, with which the virus gets into human cells and that through the vaccination is prevented from docking. Those who have recovered from SARS-CoV-1 have also developed these antibodies. “So I’ve always asked myself: ‘Why don’t these antibodies then neutralize crosswise (i.e. also against SARS-Cov-2, Editor’s note)? ‘”, Lin-Fa Wang, one of the authors of the study, explained to the journal” Science “the motivation behind the study.
Antibodies against numerous variants
The antibody level of the recovered vaccinated persons was examined in comparison to recovered unvaccinated persons, SARS-CoV-2 recovered persons and persons vaccinated against the current virus who were not infected. The result: antibodies against the variants alpha, beta and delta were found in the blood of the vaccinated SARS-CoV-1 convalescent. And not only that: They even had antibodies against corona variants, which so far only occur in animals (bats and pangolins) and have not yet spread to humans.
Wang suspects that the Sars recovered carry antibodies against both types of coronavirus, but in small amounts. The mRNA vaccination increases this considerably and provides a kind of superimmunity.
Cross vaccination in exploration
A kind of cross-vaccination against SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2that could provide immune protection against all types of coronavirus. For this, however, a vaccine against SARS-CoV-1 would first have to be developed. Research is already being carried out on this in Singapore. Based on these findings, the researchers also want antibody preparations against both Viruses that could quickly stifle future pandemics.
The biologist Priyamvada Acharya is researching corona vaccines at the University of North Carolina. It gives hope in the magazine “Science”. The research results are “amazing and very good news”. A vaccine that works against all corona variants is in principle possible.
Important NOTE: The information is in no way a substitute for professional advice or treatment by trained and recognized doctors. The contents of t-online cannot and must not be used to independently make diagnoses or start treatments.
.