The Covid Beta variant was first identified in South Africa and is believed to be the main culprit of the second wave in the nation.
Some of the mutations in the beta strain, also known as B.1.351, are similar to those seen in the strains originally discovered in the United Kingdom and Brazil.
The strain isn’t believed to be any more dangerous than previous mutations, but it does spread faster.
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According to experts, most individuals infected with the South Africa strain do not develop more severe diseases.
Pfizer covid vaccine against Beta variant
According to the latest research analysing data from 800 South Africans showed that the vaccine was 100 percent effective in avoiding symptomatic Covid.
Pfizer has now started working on a booster shot based on the new variations of concern, including the Beta strain.
AstraZeneca vaccine against covid beta variant
Studies have shown that the AstraZeneca vaccine is not that much effective against the strain.
A small trial of 2,000 individuals in South Africa found that the Oxford vaccine provided only rudimentary protection against the virus’s new strain.
A study report published in March showed that two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine had just 10.4 percent effectiveness against mild-to-moderate illnesses.
The study took place between June 24 and November 9, 2020, and included individuals between 18 to 64, with a median age of 30.
The company said:
AstraZeneca is in discussions with the UK government regarding future versions of our COVID-19 vaccine to specifically address variants.
We will share more details in due course. Any future version of the vaccine would need to be approved for use by the medicines regulator.
Moderna vaccine vs. covid beta variant
The Moderna vaccine’s efficacy against the Beta strain has yet to be determined.
However, one research conducted in the United States showed that the vaccine is effective against South African variant in primates.
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Researchers wrote:
These data highlight the importance of a prime and boost regimen for optimizing neutralization antibody responses, particularly against B.1.351 and likely for any other variant of concern for which vaccine-induced neutralization is decreased.