The Covid-19 pandemic continues to dominate the news, with most of the discussion revolving around the new vaccines and their distribution to those most at risk.
The newest concern is the development of multiple variants of the Covid-19 virus. Viruses constantly change through mutation, in which the virus’s genetic structure is randomly altered over time. Some of these mutations may lead to alterations in the virus’s surface proteins, or antigens. Our immune system is trained to recognize these antigens, so when the antigens change this can make vaccines, and our immune system, work less well in fighting them. This can make the viruses more infectious and lethal.
The three main variants currently circulating in the United States, all of which seem to spread more easily and quickly among people than does the original virus, include:
B.1.1.7, a variant first identified in the United Kingdom. This variant has 23 mutations, several of which affect the spike-like protein that the virus uses to attach itself to the surface of human cells. There may be an increased risk of death compared with other variants.
B.1.351, identified in South Africa, does not cause more severe disease that other variants.
P1, identified in Brazil, has 17 mutations. This variant may be less vulnerable to antibodies generated by previous Covid-19 infection or a Covid-19 vaccine.
Thus far the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines seem to be working against these new variants. However, Moderna is already working on a booster shot designed to address the possibility that the existing vaccine is not effective enough against the new variants.
The Centers for Disease Control and other scientific bodies are working to more fully understand if the variants:
Spread more easily from person-to person, as it seems they are doing.
Cause milder or more severe disease.
Are detected by currently available viral tests.
Respond to the medicines currently being used to treat people for Covid-19.
Change the effectiveness of Covid-19 vaccines.
What’s the good news? Most vaccines actually cause a much stronger immune reaction than a natural infection with a virus. And in clinical trials, Moderna found that the antibodies produced after vaccination may last longer than those naturally produced after Covid-19 infection.
The bottom line: When you get a chance to receive a Covid-19 vaccine, take it, whether or not you have been infected with Covid-19. But if you have been infected, you should wait 30 days after recovery before you are vaccinated.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/expert-answers/covid-variant/faq-20505779
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/transmission/variant.html