An Oxford University scientist said on Sunday that there is still uncertainty about the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines against the South African variant of the virus.
Sir John Bell told Times Radio that more research is needed, and it remains to be seen whether the vaccines will work on the new strain, known as 501.V2, according to reports.
“If you want my intuition, I think the vaccine will be effective against the Kent strain and I don’t know about the South African strain. I think there is a big question mark above that, ”he said, according to The Mirror.
But Bell added that he doubts that vaccines will become completely ineffective against 501.V2.
“I think it is unlikely that these mutations will completely shut off the effects of vaccines – I think they will still have a residual effect,” said the researcher, 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.
“Therefore, everyone should be calm. It’s going to be okay, ”he said.
The South African strain, discovered last month, is different from the British strain. Health officials and scientists, including Bell, said it appears to be more infectious than the original virus.
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