London (CNN) An analysis by British academics, published Friday by the UK Government’s official scientific advisory group, says that they believe it is “almost certain” that a SARS-Cov-2 variant will emerge that “leads to current vaccine failure.”
The analysis has not been peer-reviewed, the early research is theoretical, and does not provide any proof that such a variant is in circulation now.
Documents like it are released “as pre-print publications that have provided the government with rapid evidence during an emergency.”
The scientists write that because eradication of the virus is “unlikely,” they have “high confidence” that variants will continue to emerge.
They say it is “almost certain” that there will be “a gradual or punctuated accumulation of antigenic variation that eventually leads to current vaccine failure.”
They recommend that authorities continue to reduce virus transmission as much as possible to reduce the chance of a new, vaccine-resistant variant.
They also recommend that research focus on new vaccines that not only prevent hospital admission and disease, but also “induce high and durable levels of mucosal immunity.”
The goal, they say, should be “to reduce infection of and transmission from vaccinated individuals … ” READ MORE.
