Spike protein changes
The chief worry is that the Omicron variant has more than 50 mutations, 30 of which are in the spike protein, the area that vaccines targetTrusted Source.
Experts have expressed concern that the antibodies generated by vaccination will therefore not match the spike proteins of the Omicron variant, reducing the levels of immunity provided.
However, it appears that high levelsTrusted Source of neutralizing antibodies, produced after three vaccine doses, provide protection from severe symptoms following infection with the Omicron variant.
It is not only the spike protein that stimulates the immune response, as Dr. Casadevall pointed out:
“Even though there are large changes in the structure of the spike protein between Omicron and the virus used to design the vaccine, much of it remains the same, and these common areas should elicit immune responses to Omicron.”
– Dr. Arturo Casadevall
Vaccines also stimulate other parts of the immune response. This results in the production of T cells, which play an important role in controlling SARS-CoV-2 infections and are less affected by spike mutations.
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