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After the discovery of a new coronavirus variant, there is growing evidence that the mutation is significantly more contagious. Virologist Drosten does not expect a rapid spread in this country in view of the blockade.
Berlin virologist Christian Drosten considers a rapid spread of the new coronavirus variant in Germany unlikely: “I don’t think we will have a bigger problem there anytime soon,” he told the German press agency.
It is very likely that the variant with the designation B.1.1.7., Which was first detected in Great Britain, is now also in Germany. “But with current restrictions, this variant is unlikely to take hold in Germany.” This is indicated by data published by the UK health authority, Public Health England (PHE).
“Contact reduction works”
However, according to PHE studies, the new corona variant makes the virus very likely to be transmitted more easily.
Consequently, B.1.1.7 is spreading. particularly fast compared to already known Sars-CoV-2 variants where insufficient restrictions lead to an increase in the number of infections. In areas of Britain where effective measures exist, the new variant is also largely under control.
“Contact reduction also works against the spread of the mutant,” writes Drosten.
For Germany, Drosten concludes that blocking the variant should leave little chance of spread.
As of yet, there is no evidence that the new variant has an impact on the severity of the disease, Drosten said. “This is very important for the population that is concerned now.” There are also no signs of reduced protection by vaccination.
Concern about the effectiveness of the vaccine.
The PHE researchers are particularly concerned about a mutation called N501Y. Based on the data, it could ensure that the virus can better attach to target cells.
Also, the mutation is at a point where certain human antibodies attack to turn off the virus. “Therefore, it is possible that such variants affect the effectiveness of neutralizing the virus,” say the researchers.
Confident Biontech and with plan B.
Mainz-based company Biontech, for its part, assumes that its vaccine, which was approved in the EU on Monday, is also effective against the mutated variant of the coronavirus.
At a press conference, the head of the company, Ugur Sahin, was confident in the effectiveness of his vaccine against the variant of the coronavirus identified in Britain: the proteins in the version of the coronavirus are 99 percent identical to the predominant virus strains . More studies would be done. Biontech expects to have security in the coming weeks.
The virus has now mutated a bit stronger, Sahin said. “Now we have to test it experimentally. It will take about two weeks. But we are confident that the mechanism of action will not be significantly affected.”
The vaccine could be adjusted in six weeks.
The antigen that the Mainz-based company and its US partner Pfizer use for the vaccine consists of more than 1,270 amino acids, according to Sahin. Nine of them have now mutated, so not even one percent. “Our vaccine sees all the protein and elicits multiple immune responses. This gives us so many docking points that it is difficult to escape the virus. But that does not mean that the new variant is harmless.”
If necessary, the existing vaccine could be “reworked” within six weeks and specially adapted to the mutation, says Sahin. This would be “technically possible in a very short time,” but a new vaccine would have to go through an approval process again.
RKI boss: variant probably already in Germany
According to the Robert Koch Institute, the new Corona variant has already arrived in Germany. “The probability that it is already in Germany, but not yet recognized, is very, very high,” RKI president Lothar Wieler said in Berlin.
He noted that variant B.1.1.7 was first detected in Great Britain in September, and that there is already evidence in neighboring countries such as the Netherlands and Denmark. However, he was not aware of any laboratory evidence in Germany, Wieler said.
WHO: situation “not out of control”
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the spread of the new variant of the coronavirus is not out of control. “Even if the virus spreads a little more efficiently now, it can be stopped,” said WHO director of medical emergencies Michael Ryan. The situation “is not out of control.”
However, Ryan called for steps to be taken to contain the new mutation. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said over the weekend that the mutation that occurred in south-east England was “up to 70 percent more contagious” than the original variant of the corona virus. UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the new strain of the virus was “out of control”.
First delivery on Saturday
The first deliveries of the corona vaccine in Europe may begin this Wednesday, according to Biontech. By the end of the year, 12.5 million cans would be ready for the EU, said Biontech CEO Sean Marett. Vaccination doses are currently stored at the plant of Biontech Pfizer’s US partner in Puurs, Belgium. This is where the raw materials, which are manufactured in Biontech’s various production facilities, are further processed and filled. Doses must be in all EU member states by Dec. 26 for vaccines to start on Dec. 27, Biontech CFO Sierk Poeting said.
