<p>The newer Omicron sub variants of SARS-CoV-2 substantially escape neutralising antibodies induced by both vaccination and previous infection, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.</p>.<p>The study provides the immunologic context for current surges among populations with high rates of vaccinations and previous infection, the researchers said.</p>.<p>Since the initial highly infectious SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant -- known as BA.1 -- of Covid-19 emerged last year, its new subvariants continue to evolve.</p>.<p>The researchers from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) in Israel evaluated antibody response to multiple SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants in 27 vaccinated and boosted individuals and 27 individuals who had previously contracted Covid-19.</p>.<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/science-and-environment/covid-vaccines-saved-20-million-lives-in-first-year-study-shows-1120889.html" target="_blank">Covid vaccines saved 20 million lives in first year, study shows</a></strong></p>.<p>They found that the three Omicron subvariants BA.2.12.1, BA.4, and BA.5 substantially escape neutralising antibodies induced by both vaccination and previous infection.</p>.<p>Neutralising antibody responses to BA.4 and BA.5 were approximately 20-fold lower than to the original WA1/2020 strain and were 3-fold lower than to the Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 variants.</p>.<p>"Our findings suggest that the Omicron variants have continued to evolve," said study senior author Dan H Barouch, director of the Center for Vaccine and Virology Research at BIDMC.</p>.<p>"This has important public health implications and provides the immunologic context for current surges among populations with high rates of vaccinations and previous infection,” Barouch said.</p>.<p>The researchers noted that new variants that emerge may be more transmissible and may more effectively bypass the immune protection from prior infection or vaccination.</p>
<p>The newer Omicron sub variants of SARS-CoV-2 substantially escape neutralising antibodies induced by both vaccination and previous infection, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.</p>.<p>The study provides the immunologic context for current surges among populations with high rates of vaccinations and previous infection, the researchers said.</p>.<p>Since the initial highly infectious SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant -- known as BA.1 -- of Covid-19 emerged last year, its new subvariants continue to evolve.</p>.<p>The researchers from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) in Israel evaluated antibody response to multiple SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants in 27 vaccinated and boosted individuals and 27 individuals who had previously contracted Covid-19.</p>.<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/science-and-environment/covid-vaccines-saved-20-million-lives-in-first-year-study-shows-1120889.html" target="_blank">Covid vaccines saved 20 million lives in first year, study shows</a></strong></p>.<p>They found that the three Omicron subvariants BA.2.12.1, BA.4, and BA.5 substantially escape neutralising antibodies induced by both vaccination and previous infection.</p>.<p>Neutralising antibody responses to BA.4 and BA.5 were approximately 20-fold lower than to the original WA1/2020 strain and were 3-fold lower than to the Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 variants.</p>.<p>"Our findings suggest that the Omicron variants have continued to evolve," said study senior author Dan H Barouch, director of the Center for Vaccine and Virology Research at BIDMC.</p>.<p>"This has important public health implications and provides the immunologic context for current surges among populations with high rates of vaccinations and previous infection,” Barouch said.</p>.<p>The researchers noted that new variants that emerge may be more transmissible and may more effectively bypass the immune protection from prior infection or vaccination.</p>