hi we are seeing many vaccine are in their final clinical trial stage but how much will be it effective as the virus is mutating like rapidly? can it control transmission?
The scientists and researchers all over the world are facing the biggest problem is mutation. The virus is exhibiting different properties under various condition. This is the reason for the delay of vaccines. Strict clinical trials are essential under this circumstances...In some countries phase 3 trials are in progress. Hope soon we will receive the proper vaccine..
Detailed study of the nature of mutation is required. Some vaccines are targeted at developing humoral immunity (antibody mediated) against the spike protein of the virus. So if mutation occurs in spike protein itself it may poses a problem in the effectivity of a vaccine. Similar concerns are also applicable for vaccines targeting at developing cell mediated immunity. But let's be hopeful !
thank you Mousumi Basu Nusrat Jahan Sathi
Aneesh Kumar K V for your valuable comment. I agree with the views provided by all of us
Thank you Amar.. We welcome interesting and thought provoking questions.
Vaccines work by prompting the body to develop antibodies, which neutralize the virus by binding to it in a very specific way. Scientists are watching to see if mutations will affect this interaction. If they don't, then there is hope that a vaccine won't need constant updating. That same process has played out with our most effective vaccines, including the one against measles.
Take a look at this useful link.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41541-020-00246-8
The coronavirus isn’t mutating quickly, suggesting a vaccine would offer lasting protection. The coronavirus is not mutating significantly as it circulates through the human population, according to scientists who are closely studying the novel pathogen’s genetic code. That relative stability suggests the virus is less likely to become more or less dangerous as it spreads, and represents encouraging news for researchers hoping to create a long-lasting vaccine.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/health/the-coronavirus-isnt-mutating-quickly-suggesting-a-vaccine-would-offer-lasting-protection/2020/03/24/406522d6-6dfd-11ea-b148-e4ce3fbd85b5_story.html%3foutputType=amp
...But as population-wide immunity rises, whether through infection or vaccination, a steady trickle of immune-evading mutations could help SARS-CoV-2 to establish itself permanently, says Sheahan, potentially causing mostly mild symptoms when it infects individuals who have some residual immunity from a previous ...
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-02544-6
As much as possible conserved regions must be used for preparing a vaccine
If the mutation does not change the conserved region of the S protein against which the vaccine is targeted, the vaccines should be effective
https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/the-effects-of-virus-variants-on-covid-19-vaccines
Agree with previous posts. It is likely that we will need variants of the vaccine to combat the variants of COVID-19.