An individual's immunity to the different variants of Covid-19 hinges on the specific variant they were first exposed to. Reuters
An individual's immunity to the different variants of Covid-19 hinges on the specific variant they were first exposed to. Reuters
An individual's immunity to the different variants of Covid-19 hinges on the specific variant they were first exposed to. Reuters
An individual's immunity to the different variants of Covid-19 hinges on the specific variant they were first exposed to. Reuters

Covid-19 tracking needed to match vaccines to variants


Marwa Hassan
  • English
  • Arabic

The efficacy of Covid-19 vaccines varies depending on the original strain with which a person was infected, a study suggests.

This discovery means that the way in which an individual's immune system targets and recognises the virus can vary based on their initial exposure.

“There's a notable difference in the focus of immune responses of different people to the Covid virus," Dr Samuel Wilks, from the University of Cambridge’s Centre for Pathogen Evolution, told The National.

“Depending on which variant they first encountered, their immune responses seem to target different specific regions of the virus," he added.

Dr Wilks further explained the practical implications: “If the virus mutates in a particular region, the immune system of some individuals might not effectively recognise the virus, potentially leading to illness.

"Given that there are such differences already after a first infection in the ways in which different immune responses are focused it shows that as new variants continue to emerge we may see mutations appearing that only effect immunity in specific subsets of the human population," he observed.

The study also highlights potential variability in the efficacy of Covid-19 vaccines among individuals. This variability might stem from differences in prior exposures to the virus variants and the consequent immune response.

"Generally, if two variants are close to each other in the map, we would expect that infection with one of the variants would provide good protection against infection from the other. For variants that are further away we would expect less protection," Dr Wilks added.

This new knowledge emphasises the importance of continuing surveillance to identify new variants and understand varying immunity levels to Covid across populations, the researchers said.

Such insights will be crucial for future vaccination strategies, which will need to consider both the specific virus variant within a vaccine and the potential variability in population response.

Different variants

Conducted in collaboration with ten research institutes, including the University of Cambridge, the findings were published in the journal Science.

For this study, 207 serum samples were collected from individuals either naturally infected with different Covid virus variants or vaccinated with the Moderna vaccine.

Research highlights the evolving challenges in immunity against Covid-19, emphasising the need for refining booster vaccines to address varied responses based on initial virus exposure. Getty Images
Research highlights the evolving challenges in immunity against Covid-19, emphasising the need for refining booster vaccines to address varied responses based on initial virus exposure. Getty Images

Notably, the immune responses exhibited marked differences depending on the initial virus variant with which an individual was infected.

Professor Derek Smith, of the University of Cambridge’s Centre for Pathogen Evolution, commented on the study's implications: “These findings enhance our understanding of how future Covid-19 booster vaccines might be refined.”

Dr Wilks said the map helps pick the best vaccine based on how close virus versions are, and since Omicron is very different from earlier versions, past infections don't offer strong protection against it.

"The group with the best protection against the Omicron variants by far was those who had received three vaccine doses," Dr Wilks said.

He also highlighted the need to identify primary virus variants for vaccine development, saying: “Identifying key virus variants for vaccine incorporation is vital for future protection.”

"As we have seen previously for flu vaccination, this simple effect of re-boosting pre-existing immunity seems to be an important effect of having a vaccination, in addition to the new immunity we hope the vaccine will generate, which depends more on the particular choice of variant in the vaccine," Dr Wilks concluded.

Immunity to Covid-19 can be acquired either through natural infection or vaccination.

Wicked: For Good

Director: Jon M Chu

Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater

Rating: 4/5

How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
  • Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work 
  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts 

  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Strait of Hormuz

Fujairah is a crucial hub for fuel storage and is just outside the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route linking Middle East oil producers to markets in Asia, Europe, North America and beyond.

The strait is 33 km wide at its narrowest point, but the shipping lane is just three km wide in either direction. Almost a fifth of oil consumed across the world passes through the strait.

Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the strait, a move that would risk inviting geopolitical and economic turmoil.

Last month, Iran issued a new warning that it would block the strait, if it was prevented from using the waterway following a US decision to end exemptions from sanctions for major Iranian oil importers.

The Details

Article 15
Produced by: Carnival Cinemas, Zee Studios
Directed by: Anubhav Sinha
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Sayani Gupta, Zeeshan Ayyub
Our rating: 4/5 

Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE

Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.

Updated: October 05, 2023, 6:00 PM