South African variant: do the vaccines work against the SA variant – what is the concern? | UK | New UK News

Trials of the Novavax, Janssen and Oxford / AstraZeneca vaccines in South Africa, where B.1.351 circulates, suggest that the variant may escape some immunity and not stop infections.

But experts say vaccines should still offer protection against serious and potentially fatal COVID-19 disease.

Moderna’s results suggest that its injection is still effective against the South African variant, although the immune response may not be as strong or prolonged.

Vaccines can also be redesigned and modified to provide a better match within weeks or months, if necessary.