Dr. Fauci says COVID variant in South Africa can re-infect people who have recovered

Restoration of the original strain of COVID cannot protect a person from reinfection by the South African variant, President Joe Bidenchief medical advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci said.

The first report of a person becoming infected with the rapidly spreading B.1.351 variant after recovering from the original variant surfaced in Brazil in early January, and a similar incident was recorded in Israel on Sunday.

The B.1.351 variant was first discovered in South Africa in December, where it quickly became the dominant form of the virus in the country.

The first two cases of the B.1.351 strain in the US were recorded in South Carolina on Jan. 28.

Dr. Fauci told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer Monday night: “It is certainly not the dominant strain [in the U.S.] but as it becomes dominant, the experience of our colleagues in South Africa shows that even if you are infected with the original virus, there is a very high rate of reinfection to the point where a previous infection does not seem to protect you from reinfection, at least with the South African variant. “

He said, “That’s the one we know the most about reinfection.”

The B.1.351 variant contains multiple mutations in the spike protein that the virus uses to infect human cells. The mutations can prevent some antibodies from binding to the virus.

Preliminary evidence has shown that the Moderna and Novavax vaccines may be less effective against this variant.

Results of a survey submitted on a pre-print server by Modern on January 25 a six-fold increase in antibody production against the South African tribe, but the company said the vaccine could still provide some protection.

Modern is developing a booster shot of its vaccine against the South African variant. Pfizer has also said it is “laying the groundwork” for a booster shot against B.1.351 if its vaccine turns out to be less effective against it.

Novavax has reported that his vaccine turned out to be nearby 60 percent effective in studies in South Africa, suggesting the B.1.351 variant may be more resistant to it.

The companies’ findings are preliminary and under scrutiny.

Fauci said that despite concerns about the South African tribe’s apparent resistance to existing vaccines, it is still “crucial” that everyone gets vaccinated.

“Vaccination is very important. We need to get as many people vaccinated as soon as possible and when the vaccine becomes available to individuals, take the vaccine,” he told CNN.

“Even though there is reduced protection against the variants, there is enough protection to prevent you from getting serious illness, including hospitalization and deaths. Vaccination is therefore critical. Get vaccinated if it is available.”

Stephen Hoge, the president of Modern, recently warned that the virus will continue to mutate as long as it spreads from person to person, which would lead to the emergence of more new variants.