A new variant of the coronavirus could give us problems in the winter: the BA.2.75.2 mutation performs an immune escape and is therefore more difficult for antibodies to grasp.
The Corona wave seems to be relaxing a bit right now. The omicron BA.5 variant is spreading more rapidly and effectively, but widespread vaccination and safety measures in recent months have led to relatively less severe illness and death. However, a mutation could again be dangerous for us in the winter: according to studies, the BA.2.75.2 subtype avoids antibodies very well.
Corona BA.2.75.2: the new variant avoids antibodies
Somehow we have come to terms with the restrictions brought by the corona virus. However, a new researched sub-variant could cause a new wave of disease in affected countries in the winter, because the BA.2.75.2 subtype, which the Swedish and Chinese researchers examined in their studies, is extremely immune-evasive.
Evasive means that the virus mutation can evade antibodies much better. It operates a so-called immune escape. This is also particularly pronounced in the BA.4 and BA.5 mutations. Antibodies are therefore less effective against viruses and a vaccination no longer protects even from a disease. Like last year, you should pay attention to these symptoms of the Omicron corona variant.
Corona BA.2.75.2 variant: is the next wave of infections imminent?
The studies have not yet been evaluated by other experts, but the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) in Berlin also talks about the “pronounced immune escape properties”. The underline is mainly found in India, but has also been found in random samples in Germany. It is not yet known whether BA.2.75.2 has a growth advantage over BA.4 and BA.5.
The ECDC and WHO would have classified BA.2.75.2 underlines as YOU, a “concern variant”, ie a concern variant. London virologist Tom Peacock takes a step forward on Twitter: according to him, it is very likely that this variant will dominate later, although it is not certain whether this will lead to the next wave of infections.
Corona BA.2.75.2 variant: how effective are vaccinations?
As Peacock writes, BA.2.75.2 is a second generation mutation, i.e. a sub-variant. These have undergone a double development. Since the variant has so far been so little studied, the consequences are still unclear. However, the mutation could result in greater resistance to previous antibodies.
There are still uncertainties about how long vaccination against the omicron variant and its subtypes is effective. However, vaccination against the omicron variant reduces the long-term consequences of a disease with the coronavirus. (surrender)
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