Covid new strain: AstraZeneca jab offers even less ‘protection’ from South Africa strain

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The South African B.1.351 variant has been identified in more than 100 Covid cases across the UK. As the vaccination programme goes full-speed ahead, could a speed bump be on the horizon? Here are the details of the study. Due to be published on Monday, February 8, the human trials involved 2,026 healthy and young patients, averaging an age of 31. The study was led by South Africa’s University of the Witwatersrand and Oxford university.

Half of the participants were given at least one dose of placebo, while the other half received at least one dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab.

In both human trials and blood samples, the findings showed significant reduced efficacy against the worrisome variant.

Researchers noted: “A two-dose regimen of [the vaccine] did not show protection against mild to moderate Covid-19 due to [the South African variant].”

The efficacy against severe Covid, hospitalisation and deaths was not yet determined.

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There are limitations to the study – yet to be peer reviewed – such as its relatively small sample size.

However, the results may complicate the vaccination roll-out as new strains inevitably emerge.

AstraZeneca commented on the findings: “We do believe our vaccine could protect against severe disease.

“[Its] neutralising antibody activity is equivalent to that of other COVID-19 vaccines that have demonstrated activity against more severe disease.”

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This was especially true when “the dosing interval is optimised to eight to 12 weeks”.

It added that the vaccine was being adapted against the South African variant, advancing through clinical development “so that it is ready for autumn delivery”.

Oxford University also commented on the study: “Oxford is working with AstraZeneca to optimise the pipeline required for a strain change should one become necessary.

“This is the same issue that is faced by all of the vaccine developers, and we will continue to monitor the emergence of new variants that arise in readiness for a future strain change.”

Both Johnson & Johnson and Novavax have said their vaccines were less effective against the South African strain in clinical trials.

However, in both trials, the vaccines offered complete protection against severe disease and death from Covid.

Studies using the Moderna jab also showed it was less effective against the South African strain.

Moderna is yet to test a booster shot and reformulated vaccine against the troublesome variant.

BioNTech/Pfzier haven’t published results of tests against the South African virus.

However, they do have a lab report using a pseudovirus with some mutations seen in the South African variant.

This too proved the vaccine was less effective against the mutated strain.

The good news is that the vaccines are still likely to prevent hospitalisation and deaths from the notorious coronavirus.

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