Vaccines likely effective against COVID-19 variants, study suggests – Everett Post

By IVAN PEREIRA, ABC News

(WASHINGTON) – A study published Tuesday by the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases provided strong evidence that the coronavirus vaccines will pass against the new variants.

The agency’s researchers, led by Dr. Anthony Fauci, examined white blood cell samples from 30 people who had contracted and recovered from COVID-19 prior to the appearance of virus variants in places like the UK, South Africa and Brazil.

Their studies found that T cells, a key component of the body’s immune system, remained active against the virus.

“Although larger studies are needed, the researchers note that their results suggest that the T-cell response in convalescents, and most likely in vaccines, is largely unaffected by the mutations found in these three variants and provides protection against emerging variants should. Said the NIAID in a press release.

This data was originally preprinted in February before being peer reviewed.

Further studies will be carried out to collect additional data on the strength of the vaccines against the variants and whether or not booster vaccinations are required.

ABC News’ Sony Salzman contributed to this report.