Pfizer Researchers: "Current Vaccines Can Also Respond to Variant COVID-19"

Pfizer Collaborates with University of Texas Researchers
South African and UK Variant Viruses Preventable by Vaccination

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] A study has found that the COVID-19 vaccine developed by the US company Pfizer and the German company BioNTech is effective against variant viruses spreading in the United Kingdom and the Republic of South Africa.

According to the Associated Press on the 8th (local time), a study investigating whether the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is effective against the variant virus (N501Y) spreading in the UK and South Africa confirmed its preventive effect. Pfizer, in collaboration with the University of Texas Medical Branch, concluded through the study that the current vaccine can curb the spread of the variant COVID-19 viruses prevalent in the UK and South Africa.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

This study was conducted at the laboratory level and reached its conclusion within three weeks of initiation. Earlier, Pfizer announced on the 21st of last month that it would conduct research to determine whether the existing vaccine can prevent the spread of the variant virus.

The research team collected antibodies from blood samples of 20 individuals vaccinated with Pfizer’s vaccine and confirmed the preventive effect through variant viruses cultured in laboratory petri dishes. Philip Dormitzer of Pfizer, who led the study, said, "We are very reassured to find that at least this variant virus does not appear to pose a problem (for the currently developed vaccine)."

Experts have predicted that although COVID-19 may continue to mutate and potentially render current vaccines ineffective, such mutations are unlikely to occur through just a few mutation steps. There is a high possibility that the current vaccines alone can prevent variant COVID-19.

Dr. Dormitzer also stated that even if it becomes necessary to adjust the vaccine due to COVID-19 mutations, changing the manufacturing process would not be difficult.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.