
Pfizer, Moderna COVID-19 vaccines protection against South African variant unclear, studies find
Fox News
New research suggests a concerning coronavirus variant first identified in South Africa diminished Pfizer and Moderna's vaccine-induced antibody levels, and the protection is unclear.
Mutations on the B.1.351 strain were genetically engineered into previous strains of the virus to analyze the vaccine’s ability to neutralize the pathogen. Scientists tested the pathogen against blood samples from trial participants who received the vaccine. "Neutralization of the B.1.351-spike virus was weaker by approximately two thirds," study authors wrote in part, later adding, "it is unclear what effect a reduction in neutralization by approximately two thirds would have on BNT162b2-elicited protection from Covid-19 caused by the B.1.351 lineage of SARS-CoV-2."More Related News