The Brazilian P1 Covid-19 variant mutates to become immune to the vaccine

Viral mutations occur in areas experiencing a surge in the corona virus

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BRASILIA – Brazil’s P1 coronavirus variant mutates in a way that makes it better able to avoid antibodies. Research on a new variant of the corona virus was carried out by the public health agency Fiocruz.

Fiocruz found that virus mutations occurred in areas that experienced a surge in the corona virus. They mutate by infecting cells. Scientists say the mutation could make the virus more resistant to vaccines with potentially huge implications for the severity of the outbreak in Latin America’s most populous country.

“We believe it is another escape mechanism created by the virus to evade an antibody response,” said Felipe Naveca, co-author of the study and part of Fiocruz in the Amazon city of Manaus.

Naveca said the changes appeared to be similar to the mutations seen in the even more aggressive South African variant. According to research, a new variant of the coronavirus in South Africa has proven resistant to vaccines.

“This is very worrying because the virus continues to experience an accelerated evolution,” said Naveca.

source: Reuters

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