Vaccination offers greater protection against Covid-19 variants, study suggests

New US research shows those with an earlier infection produce higher neutralising antibodies after vaccination

Hafsa, one of the medical volunteers, administers a vaccine at London Central Mosque. Mark Chilvers for The National

London Central Mosque is opening its doors this Ramadan to anyone eligible for a vaccine. Mark Chilvers for The National

'The principle really is that patients need to have conversations and safe trusted spaces with our specialist clinicians on hand to answer their questions. Because as we know from the news, there are lots of fears and worries around the vaccine,” Dr Yasmin Razak said. Mark Chilvers for The National

Two clinics have been held at London Central Mosque already, and it will hold more during Ramadan, after sunset once people have broken their fast. Mark Chilvers for The National

'I think people don't just go away with a jab in their arm, they go away with a really positive energy about what the NHS can do for them,' Dr Razak said. Mark Chilvers for The National

A member of the public receives a vaccine at London Central Mosque. Mark Chilvers for The National

A sign thanking people for attending the vaccination drive at the mosque. Mark Chilvers for The National

Given the positive reaction so far, the mosque will keep its doors open for vaccinations throughout Ramadan when Dr Razak and her team will return for an evening surgery after sunset. Mark Chilvers for The National

Vaccination protects people who have recovered from Covid-19 from variants of the coronavirus, according to new research.

Viruses change over time as they accrue mutations, leading to new strains, which can be more transmissible, deadly – or both.

Scientists say that could put people at risk of reinfection.

Studies have shown the immune response produced by an infection by an original strain is not as strong against some variants.

One that emerged in Brazil, for instance, was able to infect 25 to 61 per cent of people who should have expected to be immune after recovering from an earlier bout of Covid-19. The research was carried out in the rainforest city of Manaus, which suffered two severe waves of the virus.

The strain, called P1, was found to be six times less sensitive to antibodies produced by the original virus that emerged in China.

But early research from the US has found that people can better protect themselves from emerging strains by getting vaccinated.

Although the sample size was small, the results were encouraging for researchers.

The study looked at antibodies produced by 10 people who recovered from a previous infection before and after they received two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. This was compared to 20 people with no history of infection before they were vaccinated. Their blood was tested against the UK, South African and Brazilian strains.

Vaccination significantly boosted pre-existing levels of antibodies to the spike among the 10 who recovered from the virus. It was not, however, significantly higher compared to the 20 who had no prior infection.

But the neutralising ability of those who previously had the virus was noticeably higher, said researchers.

“Vaccination boosted pre-existing levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike antibodies 10-fold in previously infected individuals, but not to levels significantly higher than those of uninfected vaccines,” wrote the study authors from Oregon Health and Science University.

“However, neutralising antibody titers increased in previously infected vaccinees relative to uninfected vaccinees against every variant tested: 5.2-fold against B.1.1.7 [UK variant], 6.5-fold against B. 1.351 [South African variant], 4.3-fold against P. 1 [Brazilian variant], and 3.4-fold against original SARS-CoV-2.”

That means a “first generation” Covid-19 vaccine provides “broad protection” from SARS-CoV-2 variants in those who had a previous infection, they said.

The neutralising ability of vaccines has been effected by variants, but in most cases they still work.

A recent study found the Covaxin remains effective against the recently discovered Indian variant.

Blood serum was collected from 12 people who experienced symptomatic or asymptomatic infections from the Indian variant and fully recovered. Samples were also collected from people who had been vaccinated.

They were then tested to see how well they neutralised the Indian variant and both batches offered high levels of protection. The serums from recovered patients provided 87 per cent immunity and the serums of vaccine recipients 88 per cent.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine also appears to be effective against it, said BioNTech co-founder Ugur Sahin.

"We are still testing ... but the Indian variant has mutations that we have already tested for and which our vaccine works against, so I am confident," he said last week.