Pfizer: "Effectiveness Unclear Against South Africa-Origin Variant"

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] A study has found that the COVID-19 vaccine jointly developed by the US company Pfizer and the German company BioNTech may have reduced preventive effectiveness against the variant virus originating from South Africa. Until last month, Pfizer-BioNTech stated that there was almost no decrease in vaccine efficacy against the South African variant.

On the 17th (local time), according to major foreign media, Pfizer-BioNTech announced that, in collaboration with the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), they cultured and analyzed in the laboratory viruses with characteristics similar to the South African variant B.1.351, and the results showed this reduced effectiveness.

The researchers explained that compared to the COVID-19 virus commonly circulating in the US, infection with a virus mutated like the South African variant resulted in about a two-thirds reduction in antibody protection levels.

Pfizer-BioNTech stated that it is unclear whether their vaccine has preventive effectiveness against the South African variant. Foreign media explained, "Since there is no established standard for antibody protection levels to determine vaccine effectiveness, it is not clear whether a two-thirds reduction means the vaccine is ineffective."

In this context, Pfizer-BioNTech also emphasized that their vaccine can still neutralize the virus and that there is currently no evidence that preventive effectiveness weakens in clinical trials targeting the South African variant.

Pfizer-BioNTech said they continue to invest in vaccines to counter the threat of variant viruses and are discussing with regulatory authorities plans to develop modified vaccines or booster shots to enhance preventive effectiveness.

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