501Y.V2 immunity
A preliminary study conducted by KRISP showed people previously infected with the new variant are immune from reinfection and possibly other circulating variants.
The study involved a small number of people and is yet to be submitted for evaluation by the scientific community.
Scientists said the plasma collected from people infected with the variant had “good neutralising activity”, including against “first wave” viruses and potentially other variants of concern.
It shows that the immune response to the new variant is as potent was that seen in people infected with the old variant. NICD (@nicd sa) March 3, 2021
Immunity does not mean no vaccination
Research shows people with new Covid-19 variant develop antibodies that offer protection
By Chulumanco Mahamba
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Johannesburg - Scientists have discovered that people infected by the new Covid19 variant have developed antibodies that can offer protection from other variants.
Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Blade Nzimande and Minister of Health Zweli Mkhize jointly provided an update on the latest scientific results on the new variant of SARS-CoV-2, dubbed 501Y. V2.
The new variant was first discovered in South Africa by scientists based at the KwaZulu-Natal Research Informatics and Sequencing Programme (KRISP) last year, supported by the Department of Science and Innovation.
Nzimande vows to invest millions to allow SA scientists, pharmaceuticals to produce locally branded Covid-19 vaccine
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Johannesburg - Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Blade Nzimande has vowed to invest millions to allow South African scientists and pharmaceuticals to produce a locally branded vaccine to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.
Nzimande said the planned investment would go ahead soon while his Science and Innovation Department was due next month, to conduct a feasibility study for the construction of a Science and Technology University, which would have as its primary objective to produce vaccines, not only for Covid-19 but also for other pandemics.