01-21-2021, 07:28 PM
Fauci with some concern that some variants may be resistant to the vaccines to a degree.
My sense is that the current vaccines which put out the full spike protein will still be effective against these variants at preventing severe disease but perhaps not as good at preventing mild illness or asymptomatic transmission. The preprints with the South African variant escaping convalescent plasma are concerning but the response to spike protein from the two shot booster regimen will be putting out much higher antibody levels than seen in that convalescent plasma. Also real life clinical data will be more relevant, though longer in coming.
The mAbs may be more susceptible to escape from the variants however. The polyclonal immune response to vaccine much more robust in combating escape. At least they helped our former POTUS.
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/21/dr-fauci...rains.html
My sense is that the current vaccines which put out the full spike protein will still be effective against these variants at preventing severe disease but perhaps not as good at preventing mild illness or asymptomatic transmission. The preprints with the South African variant escaping convalescent plasma are concerning but the response to spike protein from the two shot booster regimen will be putting out much higher antibody levels than seen in that convalescent plasma. Also real life clinical data will be more relevant, though longer in coming.
The mAbs may be more susceptible to escape from the variants however. The polyclonal immune response to vaccine much more robust in combating escape. At least they helped our former POTUS.
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/21/dr-fauci...rains.html