- The Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has proved effective in neutralising the Brazilian virus strain, according to a prominent medical journal
- The New England Journal of Medicine published a lab report that found the vaccine has the same effect on this new strain as it did on previous ones
- This particular vaccine has been tested, and found effective, against the U.K., South African and now Brazilian strains of COVID-19
- However, the drug manufacturers are running trials to see if a third booster shot helps improve the efficacy of the more contagious strains
- Brazil is currently one of the worst affected nations in the world when it comes to COVID-19 cases and deaths
The Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has proved effective in neutralising the Brazilian virus strain, according to a prominent medical journal.
The New England Journal of Medicine has published a lab report which essentially shows the vaccine should have the same effect on this new strain as it did on previous ones.
Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine testing was completed by researchers from the University of Texas Medical Branch, who examined the blood of patients who have been vaccinated.
Testing indicated the vaccinated blood neutralised an engineered version of the virus, which contains the same mutations carried on the spike portion of the new Brazilian strain of COVID-19.
This vaccine by Pfizer/BioNTech SE vaccine, as well as many other vaccines against coronavirus, targets the spike protein as its the mechanism through which the virus enters human cells.
Along with protecting against this new Brazilian strain, the Pfizer/BioNTech SE vaccine has been successfully tested against the highly-contagious U.K. and South African virus variants.
However, drugmakers are conducting tests to see whether a third booster shot — administered six to 12 months after receiving the second dose — increases the efficacy of the jab.
“While we have not seen any evidence that the circulating variants result in a loss of the protection provided by our vaccine, we are taking multiple steps to act decisively and be ready in case a strain becomes resistant to the protection afforded by the vaccine,” Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla explained.
News the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is proving effective against this new strain comes as Brazillian authorities continue to negotiate with the drugmakers to have the jabs delivered early.
Brazil is one of the worst affected nations in the world when it comes to COVID-19 cases, with more than 11 million cases recorded since the pandemic began and over 266,000 deaths.