> All anti-NTD neutralizing antibodies failed to recognize the Delta spike, indicating that the Delta variant is completely resistant to anti-NTD neutralizing antibodies elicited by wild-type spike protein, which is the antigenic component of widely used mRNA vaccines.
> A third round of booster immunization with the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine is currently under consideration. Our data suggest that repeated immunization with the wild-type spike may not be effective in controlling the newly emerging Delta variants.
Depends what you mean by "handled". Per the CDC [1]:
> [vaccine efficiency at preventing infection] declined from 91% before predominance of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant to 66% since the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant became predominant
Per OP:
> Because the Delta variant is spreading so explosively, it has already acquired numerous additional mutations in the spike protein coding region, suggesting that the Delta variant will continue to acquire further mutations.
> A third round of booster immunization with the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine is currently under consideration. Our data suggest that repeated immunization with the wild-type spike may not be effective in controlling the newly emerging Delta variants.
[1] Effectiveness of COVID-19 Vaccines in Preventing SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Frontline Workers Before and During B.1.617.2 (Delta) Variant Predominance — Eight U.S. Locations, December 2020–August 2021
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7034e4.htm
This isn't surprising. Vaccines are not expected to prevent infection, and almost none do. Rather, they are designed and tested to prevent disease.
The focus on preventing infection is understandable, but I feel it's largely counterproductive in the national discourse. I wish there were more emphasis on the vaccines' ability to prevent the disease of covid, and the evidence still shows that they are doing this job well.
Whatever happened to the idea that boosters would be tailored to currently circulating virus variants, ala flu vaccines? Somewhere along the way the policy discussion shifted and I don't know why.
I'm becoming increasingly infuriated with the FDA and CDC.
They are currently testing boosters tailored to variants including Delta. As of now Pfizer/Moderna is sufficient but the concern is that immunity will weaken over time.
12 comments
[ 3.3 ms ] story [ 39.6 ms ] thread> All anti-NTD neutralizing antibodies failed to recognize the Delta spike, indicating that the Delta variant is completely resistant to anti-NTD neutralizing antibodies elicited by wild-type spike protein, which is the antigenic component of widely used mRNA vaccines.
> A third round of booster immunization with the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine is currently under consideration. Our data suggest that repeated immunization with the wild-type spike may not be effective in controlling the newly emerging Delta variants.
[1] The SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant is poised to acquire complete resistance to wild-type spike vaccines https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.08.22.457114v1
Delta remains handled by current mRNA. Combine 4 seen mutations (present in Delta+) and it has complete breakthrough.
Yes, there will be multiple generations of vaccines for different variants and recognition of multiple components besides just spike proteins.
No, it's not starting from scratch. The underlying technology is proven. Revisions and similar vaccines. Probably a combination vaccine.
Depends what you mean by "handled". Per the CDC [1]:
> [vaccine efficiency at preventing infection] declined from 91% before predominance of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant to 66% since the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant became predominant
Per OP:
> Because the Delta variant is spreading so explosively, it has already acquired numerous additional mutations in the spike protein coding region, suggesting that the Delta variant will continue to acquire further mutations.
> A third round of booster immunization with the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine is currently under consideration. Our data suggest that repeated immunization with the wild-type spike may not be effective in controlling the newly emerging Delta variants.
[1] Effectiveness of COVID-19 Vaccines in Preventing SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Frontline Workers Before and During B.1.617.2 (Delta) Variant Predominance — Eight U.S. Locations, December 2020–August 2021 https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7034e4.htm
The focus on preventing infection is understandable, but I feel it's largely counterproductive in the national discourse. I wish there were more emphasis on the vaccines' ability to prevent the disease of covid, and the evidence still shows that they are doing this job well.
I'm becoming increasingly infuriated with the FDA and CDC.