Pirola, the newly discovered Covid variant known as the ‘real deal’ among experts, may not be as dangerous as initially believed, according to new data. A US lab found that individuals who had previously been infected with Covid or had received a vaccine had a similar level of immunity to other Omicron variants. While this does not guarantee protection against the virus, it suggests that the UK’s immunity wall should still help prevent severe illness in many people. However, experts state that the success of the upcoming autumn vaccine campaign will play a crucial role in determining the efficacy of this immunity. Currently, four cases of Pirola have been officially confirmed in the UK.
Early results from the US lab also revealed that Ba.2.86, the technical name for Pirola, shares similar symptoms with its predecessor, Ba.2. These symptoms include a runny nose, sore throat, and fatigue. Initially, concerns were raised about Pirola due to its 35 mutations, which experts feared could make it more resistant to immune defenses and increase the number of infections and severe cases. However, the US study suggests that despite belonging to a different branch of the Omicron family tree, Pirola is still susceptible to the protection offered by vaccines and previous infection.
The recent findings from the US data have been welcomed by British experts, who view it as encouraging and reinforcing the importance of the UK’s autumn Covid booster campaign. However, some caution that these results only provide part of the story, and it is still challenging to predict whether the strain will become widespread.
The research conducted by the Dan Barouch Lab at Harvard University School of Medicine involved 66 volunteers. The scientists analyzed the antibodies of 44 participants who had received a Covid vaccine to assess their neutralizing capacity against 10 different Omicron subvariants, including Ba.2.86.
The Pirola variant has seen a doubling of global cases in the past week and has been detected in several countries, including the UK, US, Israel, Denmark, South Africa, Portugal, Sweden, France, Canada, Thailand, and Switzerland. Health experts are concerned about its rapid spread, which may go undetected.
Antibodies play a crucial role in the immune response to Covid and are indicators of protection against the virus. The study found that the neutralizing antibody response to Ba.2.86 was lower compared to its predecessor, Ba.2. This suggests that individuals may have lower protection against Pirola. However, when compared to other Omicron variants, Pirola showed similar results, indicating that it is not better at evading immunity.
Further analysis compared the neutralizing antibody response in individuals who had not received a booster vaccine in the past six months. Those who had recovered from recent cases of Omicron had the highest levels of neutralizing antibodies against Ba.2.86. These findings align with previous studies in China and Sweden.
Despite the positive results from the US study, experts emphasize the need for more research and increased testing. The overall extent of spread and the potential for severe disease are not yet clear due to limited data. They advise against complacency and stress the importance of monitoring infections and new variants.
In response to these findings, the UK’s autumn booster campaign has been accelerated to provide vaccination to care home residents and vulnerable adults. GPs and pharmacies will start administering the jabs on September 11, a month earlier than planned. The decision aims to alleviate pressure on the health service while scientists continue their investigations into Pirola.
Although the Pirola variant has been detected in multiple countries, the reasons behind its spread and its potential impact remain uncertain. Scientists believe that other changes in the virus may be contributing to its rapid transmission. This highlights the need for ongoing vigilance and a proactive approach in mitigating the virus’s effects.
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