Indian variant can escape antibodies but not the vaccine: Study

NEW DELHI: Scientists from India and the United Kingdom (UK) found that the Indian variant of coronavirus, which is also known as the double mutant variant, has the ability to escape antibodies developed in a person after he/she recovers from COVID-19. It also found that in case of the patients which are vaccinated, this variant can at best cause mild illness. Scientists from India’s INSACOG and UK’s Cambridge University have published these results this in a research paper titled ‘SARS-COV2 B.1.617-emergenece and sensitivity to vaccine-elicited antibodies’.

The scientists found that the variant can also infect those who are vaccinated but can only cause moderate symptoms. The official report tells that this mutant was detected first in Maharashtra three months ago and since then has been found across the nation and other countries as well. The report also suggests that the B.1.617 variant has the modest ability to dodge the antibodies which was responsible for its high infectivity and transmissibility.

Dr Ravi Gupta, University of Cambridge, said that this data explains the dominance of this variant in a partially immune population but also highlights the effectiveness of vaccine for the majority of people.