The analysis by UK academics, published by the UK Government’s Official Scientific Advisory Group, say that they believe it is “almost certain” that a variant of SARS-Cov-2 will emerge that leads to current vaccine failure.” SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes Covid-19.
The analysis has not been peer-reviewed, the initial research is theoretical and does not provide evidence that such a variant is currently in circulation. Documents like this are published “as pre-print publications that have provided the government with rapid evidence during an emergency.”
The document is dated July 26 and was released by the UK government on Friday.
The scientists write that because eradication of the virus is “unlikely,” they have “high confidence” that variants will continue to emerge. They say it is “almost certain” that there will be “a gradual or punctuated accumulation of antigenic variation that eventually leads to current vaccine failure.”
They recommend that authorities continue to reduce transmission of the virus as much as possible to reduce the possibility of a new variant resistant to the vaccine.
They also recommend that research focus on new vaccines that not only prevent hospitalization and disease, but also “induce high and durable levels of mucosal immunity.”
It means that more and more boosters may be needed for those who’ve taken vaccines.
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