Pfizer Vaccine Effective Against Brazilian Variant... Vulnerable to South African Variant

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The COVID-19 vaccine developed by the U.S. pharmaceutical company Pfizer has been found to be effective against the Brazilian variant of the virus, while its effectiveness is low against the variant from the Republic of South Africa.

On the 10th (local time), The Washington Post (WP) reported that the Pfizer vaccine is effective against the variant virus that emerged in Brazil.

According to WP, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that the Pfizer vaccine is highly effective against the variant virus spreading mainly in Amazonas state in northern Brazil.

This study, conducted by scientists from Pfizer and BioNTech, was carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of the Pfizer vaccine amid the rapid spread of the variant virus.

WP stated, "This study raises expectations that continuing to administer the Pfizer vaccine will help suppress the spread of the variant virus."

On the other hand, political news outlet The Hill reported that research results indicate the vaccine is less effective against the variant virus that emerged in South Africa.

The Hill conveyed, "A study to be published in the international academic journal Nature suggests that the COVID-19 variant that appeared at the end of last year could hinder the global mission to achieve herd immunity."

The research showed that the South African variant has low effectiveness regardless of the vaccine type.

Compared to the original COVID-19 virus, the Pfizer vaccine was 10.3 times less effective against the variant virus, and the Moderna vaccine was also 12.4 times less effective.

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