With the identification of a new strain of SARS-CoV-2 virus in the United Kingdom, the issue of the effectiveness of vaccines developed so far has arisen.
Here are some clarifications in this regard.
Newly developed vaccines target the new coronavirus Spike protein, the virus’s surface glycoprotein, capable of triggering an immune response.
It is responsible for the penetration of the virus into human cells (and, implicitly, the onset of infection), by binding to specific receptors that are located in the respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract.
Spike protein binds to these receptors through a region called the receptor binding domain. The immune system recognizes the Spike protein as foreign – similar to when the virus enters the body and when it is produced post-vaccine – and triggers the immune response that results in antibodies.
Antibodies to natural infection with SARS-CoV-2 virus have been shown to recognize many regions of the virus’s surface protein (Spike protein).
Indeed, changing these regions due to mutations could lead to a decrease in the effectiveness of antibodies (whether they are produced as a result of natural infection or as a result of vaccination).
But for this to happen, it would be necessary to accumulate a large number of mutations so as to completely eliminate the protection conferred, and this phenomenon would take a long time, taking into account the rate of mutation of the virus.
In the long run, this possibility cannot be completely ruled out.
However, even if this were to happen, it would not be necessary to resume the entire vaccine development process, but only to periodically adapt it to the circulating strains.
The best example of this is the influenza vaccination, for which the recommendation of strains to be included in the vaccine for each season changes annually, and the vaccine is produced, tested and administered in just a few months.
Photo source: ZIUA de Constanța
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