A scientist from the University of Oxford said on Sunday that there is still uncertainty about the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines on the South African variant of the virus.
Sir John Bell told Times Radio that more research is needed, and it is not yet known whether the vaccines will work on the new strain, known as 501.V2, according to reports.
“If you want my gut feeling, I think the vaccine will be effective against the Kent tribe and I don’t know about the South African tribe. I think there’s a big question mark above that, ”he said according to The Mirror.
But Bell added that he doubts the vaccines would become completely ineffective against 501.V2.
“I think these mutations are unlikely to completely eliminate the effects of vaccines – I think they will still have a residual effect,” the researcher said, according to The Sun.
And should a new vaccine be needed to address the mutations, Bell said a new drug could be ready in six weeks.
So everyone has to stay calm. It’ll be fine, ”he said.
The South African species, discovered last month, differs from that found in Britain. Health officials and scientists, including Bell, reportedly said it appears to be more contagious than the original virus.
With pole wires