Thread by @sailorrooscout

Guys. This is P.1. It isn’t “new” or “novel.” It has now been detected in cases in the U.K. We know the vaccines can neutralize this variant, and updated boosters should they be needed are already in development. Please don’t be alarmed. This is what viruses do, they spread.

https://twitter.com/krishgm/status/1366070922805977089

If you’re interested in reading more about mutations and how we go about controlling these please see:

https://twitter.com/sailorrooscout/status/1362040308901548032?s=21

Keep in mind this study only takes into account humoral immunity and nAbs rather than cell mediated immunity as well (which I am a huge advocate for) but you can see the vaccines can neutralize P.1.
medrxiv.org/content/10.110…

I wanted to clarify since some have been misconstruing my words. If you are confused, it’s better to ask me rather than not. I have never said P.1 was not a VOC. In fact, if you look through several of my threads I have highlighted and said otherwise. What I am trying to express

is that this variant has been present since last year when it appeared it Brazil, then Japan and now parts of the UK and EU. Several outlets weren’t even specifying this was P.1. I have also said, yes, the vaccines are effective and will prevent you from facing severe disease.

I am always open for discussion and helping people understand when they are confused or concerned.

Thank you Professor for giving insight as to when this variant did emerge. Initially I was looking at reports of December of last year.

https://twitter.com/ballouxfrancois/status/1366366519173795841

And please see here for more clarification. The November estimate some have been seeing corresponds to the arrival and spread of the variant in Manaus, Brazil, not taking into account other areas such as Rio de Janeiro where it was widespread earlier.

https://twitter.com/ballouxfrancois/status/1366371873861365763

While it is speculative due to lack of sequencing at the time we can see when AZN’s vaccine were used during Phase III trials. Will we need more data? Absolutely. What I try to express is that the vaccines are effective even with decreased neutralization.
ox.ac.uk/news/2020-06-2…

For Pfizer’s and Moderna’s vaccines, they have shown effectiveness against these variants based on nAbs alone. Again, what I want everyone to understand is this variant is not new or novel. It’s been here for a while now.