Tag: Covid 19 Vaccine

New York, June 26 (IANS) As SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing Covid-19, evolves it tends to mutate and bring new variants as well as cause changes to the spike protein -- a fact that can render the current vaccines targeting the protein ineffective. Researchers from the Boston Children's Hospital, have found new properties in the spike protein of the Alpha, first identified in the UK and Beta, first identified in South Africa variants. The changes to the 'spike' protein explains faster spread of Alpha, and how the Beta variant evades immune responses, suggesting the need for a booster with an updated vaccine. "The mutations make antibodies stimulated by the current vaccine less effective," said Bing Chen, in the division of Molecular Medicine at Boston Children's. "The Beta variant is somewhat resistant to the current vaccines, and we think a booster with the new genetic sequence can be beneficial for protecting against this variant," Chen added. Spike proteins, on the surface of SARS CoV-2, are what enable the virus to attach to and enter our cells, and all current vaccines are directed against them. The new study, published in Science, used cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to compare the spike protein from the original virus with that of the Alpha and Beta variants. The structural findings indicate that mutations in the Beta variant (also known as B1351) change the shape of the spike surface at certain locations. As a result, neutralising antibodies induced by current vaccines are less able to bind to the Beta virus, which may allow it to evade the immune system even when people are vaccinated. However, the study also found that mutations in the Beta variant make the spike less effective in binding to ACE2 -- suggesting that this variant is less transmissible than the Alpha variant. As for the Alpha variant (B117), the study confirms that a genetic change in the spike (a single amino acid substitution) helps the virus bind better to ACE2 receptors, making it more infectious. However, testing indicates that antibodies elicited by existing vaccines can still neutralise this variant.

A single dose of either the Pfizer or AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine offers around 60 per cent protection against infection from SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing Covid-19, in adults aged 65 years and above, according to a new study published in The Lancet Infectious.

AstraZeneca said new data from Public Health England (PHE) demonstrated COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca offers high levels of protection against the Delta variant (B.1.617.2; formerly the ‘Indian variant).

Eleven individuals who received the AstraZeneca-Oxford Covid-19 vaccine have developed a rare neurological disorder called Guillain-Barre syndrome, clinicians in India and England have reported in two separate studies.

A parents' association and students flagged several concerns with regard to the CBSE and ICSE schemes for evaluation for Class 12 results and said that many clauses are arbitrary and would be detrimental to future prospects of the students.

In a significant development, India's cumulative vaccination coverage has exceeded 28 crores on Sunday, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) said on Monday.

People who got Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine showed "substantially higher" levels of antibodies compared to those who received China's Sinovac shots, according to a new study.

Amid shortage of Covid jabs in many states, the Centre on Sunday announced that more than 3.06 crore vaccine doses are still available with the states and the Union Territories (UTs) to be administered, and over 24 lakh will be provided to them within three days.

As per experts, a vaccine will be considered a marathoner protector if it is able to produce good spike protein antibodies. A spike protein antibody test can confirm whether claims made by Covisheild and Covaxin are true

A 32-year-old woman allegedly died after she was administered Covid-19 jab in Odisha.

The country's Covid curve can be flattened by July end if the government is able to vaccinate a whopping 90-lakh people a day, said healthcare expert at a webinar.

Children in Denmark between the ages of 12 and 15 will soon be offered the opportunity to be voluntarily vaccinated against Covid-19, "possibly" from this September, Soren Brostrom, director general of the Danish Health Authority, said at a press conference here on Thursday.

While Odisha is one of the few states which has been registering a higher vaccination rate compared to the national average, it is still far behind states like Rajasthan which has been able to vaccinate nearly 85 per cent of its citizens above 60 years of age, with at least one shot.

More than 27.28 crore (27,28,31,900) vaccine doses have been provided to the states and UTs so far by the government of India (free of cost channel) and through direct state procurement category, it said.

The Japanese government wants its citizens carrying the documents verifying their vaccination status to be exempted or only have to undergo a shortened quarantine period when they travel.