An Oxford University scientist said on Sunday that there was still uncertainty about the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in the South African variant of the virus.
Sir John Bell told Times Radio that more research is needed and it is not yet known if the vaccines will work on the new strain, known as 501.V2, according to reports.
“If you want to have a gut feeling, I think the vaccine will be effective against the Kent strain and I don’t know about the South African strain. I think there’s a big question mark over it,” he said, according to The Mirror.
But Bell added that he doubts the vaccines will become completely ineffective against 501.V2.
“I think these mutations are unlikely to completely disable the effects of vaccines; I think they will still have a residual effect,” the researcher said, according to The Sun.
And if a new vaccine is needed to fight the mutations, Bell said a new drug could be completed in six weeks.
“It simply came to our notice then. It will go well, ”he said.
The South African strain, which was discovered last month, is different from that of Britain. According to reports, officials and health scientists, including Bell, said it appears to be more infectious than the original virus.
With publishing cables