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This is how the vaccine is affected
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The new variant of the virus that has been discovered in the UK has caused concern in Europe. Several countries have stopped entry from the British Isles and there is a risk that the variant will spread. Also to Sweden, says virus researcher Ali Mirazimi.
– There is a risk, he says.
But the real danger is not now, but if the virus mutates after large sections of the population have been vaccinated.
Photo: KI.
Ali Mirazimi, virusforskare.
In the UK, a new variant of the coronavirus has been discovered that may be up to 70 percent more contagious. Yesterday it was announced that it is behind 62 percent of infections in London. The mutation of the virus and its rapid spread have caused the closure of much of the UK, with several European countries halting flights from the country and the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling on European countries to tighten restrictions.
The new variant of the virus, VUI202012 / 01, is a Sars covid-19 mutation, which means that the virus changes its genome. It’s common for viruses, such as coronavirus, to mutate, according to virus researcher Ali Mirazimi, professor of clinical virology at the Karolinska Institutet. Last spring such a mutation took place, which came to dominate the spread in Europe.
– This type of virus that has a genome made up of RNA changes its genome continuously. It’s their way of adapting and further enhancing the spread, which is why it often happens, says Ali Mirazimi, adding that it has happened 10,000 times in the past year.
“Don’t want to kill us”
Some of the mutations can change the properties of the virus, such as the virus spreading faster or becoming more dangerous or milder. But of all the mutations that have been discovered so far, none have caused a more serious disease, says Ali Mirazimi.
– Evolutionarily, the virus does not want to kill us, because if it does, it does not spread as much. So the virus doesn’t want to cause a more serious illness. At the same time, it spreads more and more people become seriously ill. So it indirectly affects mortality as more people become infected, but the degree of the disease itself is not affected, says Ali Mirazimi.
He does not believe that ordinary people should worry about how the virus mutates, but should instead focus on stopping the spread of the infection.
– But researchers and authorities must have a super control over mutations and what they mean. Because there may be mutations that eventually do not bite the vaccine.
So far, there is no indication that the vaccine does not bite the new variant of the virus. It spreads faster, but the mutation that occurred this spring did the same, according to Ali Mirazimi. At the time, the researchers were concerned that the vaccine would not bite into future mutations. But that has not happened.
– At this time, there is no indication that the vaccine does not bite into the mutation, as these mutations are found in individual locations. This particular variant spreads faster and can take over. But there is no indication that it can escape the immune response picked up by the vaccine, says Ali Mirazimi.
Only when vaccinations have started does the situation become critical, says Ali Mirazimi. When there is a basic immunity in the population, the virus will meet resistance and try to change.
– There is a certain fear that the virus will change so much that the vaccine cannot defend itself against it. But the chance that the virus will change so much that the vaccine won’t recognize it is quite small. But that said, you need to keep a close eye on everything, especially all the mutations that occur after vaccines. For those mutations it will target the vaccine.
-. Sometimes people think that when the vaccine arrives, it ends, but it is essential for a long time afterwards. So the misery doesn’t go away with the vaccine, says Ali Mirazimi.
There is a risk
According to British scientific advisor Patrick Vallance, the new variant is likely to be found in other countries as well. But the Public Health Agency was able to confirm to Aftonbladet yesterday that there are no such cases in Sweden.
– To date, the Swedish Public Health Agency has not established the variant of the virus reported in the UK, Karin Tegmark Wisell told Aftonbladet on December 19.
In Sweden, the variant has yet to be discovered. But it cannot be ruled out that the virus variant is already here, according to Ali Mirazimi. But to detect it, you have to read the genome of the virus, which is not visible in PCR or antibody tests.
About 100,000 Swedes live in London and, according to Ali Mirazimi, there is a risk that the virus variant will reach Sweden, if Swedes in London go home at Christmas or when they go home.
– Yes, there is a risk. The question is how to assess the danger of this virus, depending on it different measures can be taken. For example, have better surveillance for those traveling from areas that have this virus.
But it cannot be ruled out that the virus variant is already here, according to Ali Mirazimi. But to detect it, it is necessary to read the virus genome, which is not visible in PCR or antibody tests. It says that from time to time you read the genome of the virus and the virus has not yet appeared in them.
– In general, if a virus is highly contagious, it will most likely start to spread, he explains.
– It is difficult to stop such a spread until vaccines start, says Ali Mirazimi.
Karin Tegmark Wisell states that only a few samples from November and December have been sequenced so far. Therefore, it is not possible to draw definitive conclusions about the appearance of the variant in Sweden. The Swedish Public Health Agency will establish the sequencing of virus samples, that is, it will read the genome of the patients. They will especially monitor the existence of the new VUI202012 / 01 variant, says Karin Tegmark Wisell.
– Ongoing sequencing of samples taken in different regions of the country during November and December can show whether B.1.177 is still dominant in Sweden or whether new variants have emerged, writes Karin Tegmark Wisell.
Photo: Alberto Pezzali / TT NEWS AGENCY
Carnaby Street in London after the new variant of the virus was discovered in the country and the city entered a new level in its closure.
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