If there is one thing I am going to tell you today it is to IGNORE the media and the clickbait headlines on this new variant. There is NO plausible scenario this will take us back to square one and there is a lot of misinformation currently circulating. Working on a thread now.
Just a friendly reminder. Despite what you might hear, there has yet to be a variant that isn’t susceptible to the vaccines.
Let’s talk about Nu (B.1.1.529) clear up some misconceptions, and talk about why it is unlikely it will evade vaccine-induced immunity. 🧵
Why are variants unlikely to FULLY evade vaccine-induced immunity?
•Vaccines are POLYCLONAL
•CD8+ T-cells covering 52 epitopes across the spike protein
•CD4+ T-cells covering 23 epitopes across the spike protein
For more on this see: science.org/doi/10.1126/sc…
So, let’s get a couple of things straight NO ONE knows if it is more transmissible at this point. Seeing “Nu is 500% more transmissible” with no data and maybe a bad interpretation of a graph? Yeah, someone is yanking your chain. Also it is NOT a new virus, it is A VARIANT of the
same SARS-COV-2 virus we have been dealing with for almost 2 years now. Stop that. Give me a break. To those saying it is “outcompeting” Delta. Important thing to keep in mind: there hasn’t been much Delta to displace or “outcompete.” Until last week, South Africa was at its
lowest incidence rate since the beginning of the pandemic. In other words, the low incidence of Delta in South Africa kinda means that Nu becoming dominant is weaker evidence of it “outcompeting” it when there really wasn’t much to outcompete so to speak.
You can see for yourself here. With relatively low cases, this may left a void which a new variant could spread into more easily- it likely hasn't had to compete with Delta and in other countries where Delta rages on, it very well may not be as fit.
Secondly, we can’t predict virus behavior in its entirety from mutations. Yes, I know the number of mutations is off-putting BUT more mutations ≠ BAD. We have seen other alarming variants that have failed to spread as widely in the past.
Next, I want everyone to know this now, we don’t know if there are other factors that may be helping this to spread. South Africa has a LOW VACCINATION RATE. We are talking about 24% FULLY VACCINATED and this DESPERATELY needs to be fixed.
Vaccine equity is vital. Variants pop up out of low vaccinated areas. Immune evasion may not be needed to spread and fitness could EASILY differ in higher-vaccinated countries, and those dominated by Delta. I also recommend reading this thread here:
In regards to those who were infected with Nu, some data has come out regarding the status of some individuals, specifically out of Hong Kong. Vaccinated fully with Pfizer back in May/June, the individual is currently ASYMPTOMATIC. You can read more here:
So, what data DO we have? From this extremely informative thread from it is likely we WILL NOT see Nu FULLY escape vaccine-elicited antibodies, and therefore likely little issues with severe disease. Which IS encouraging. READ THIS:
These vaccines are polyclonal, there are non-neutralizing antibodies, and T-CELLS. Will the vaccines take a hit? Likely. as they do with ALL variants. Will it completely render these useless? Absolutely not. For those saying Nu decimates these vaccines to 30% efficacy? Stop that.
TLDR: YES, we need more data. NO, we are NOT going back to square one. The BEST thing you can do right is to GET VACCINATED. GET THE WORLD VACCINATED. GET BOOSTED, it not only restores it EXCEEDS. It is time we stop tripping up over our own feet. This DOESN’T need to be so hard.
Angelique Coetzee, chairperson of the South African Medical Association: “It’s all speculation at this stage. It may be it’s highly transmissible but so far the cases we are seeing are EXTREMELY MILD.” theguardian.com/world/2021/nov…
Update on the case in Belgium. Unvaccinated and developed flu-like symptoms after being infected with Nu but NO WORSE symptoms 11 days after returning from Egypt. NO other symptomatic individuals in their household. assets.uzleuven.be/files/2021-11/…
Minister of Health of South Africa: There is NO EVIDENCE that the Nu variant evades our current vaccines.
Mathivha was VERY careful to describe "partially vaccinated" as those with just ONE dose of mRNA. Even without a booster, 0% of those currently hospitalized are FULLY vaccinated (two doses of mRNA). This is VERY encouraging. The vaccines ARE working.
Yes, I am aware they have changed it to Omicron from Nu. This thread was written before that announcement. Just know this entire thread is in regards to Omicron (B.1.1.529).
South Africa's Health Minister says, based on a small sample of Omicron cases, the majority of hospital patients are unvaccinated: "It indicates that the vaccines ARE providing protection.” . Let’s stay calm but vigilant. businessinsider.com/omicron-corona…
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How Vaccines Work 🧬🧫🦠🔬💉🥽
(Everyone Should Watch This)
Animation Credit: 幾加乘 @bilibili_en
Recently, I have been getting a fair amount of questions regarding updated vaccines, timing, and currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 strains so I figured a short FAQ thread would be helpful! 🧪🧵⬇️
This is HUGE news! An investigational vaccine, ELI-002, appears to be effective in delaying relapse of KRAS-mutated pancreatic AND colorectal cancer, according to Phase I study results. FURTHERMORE, T-cell response correlated with an 86% REDUCTION in risk of relapse or death.🧵⬇️
This research has been published in Nature. You can find it here:
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ELI-002, an investigational therapeutic vaccine, put to the test by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, appeared to be effective in delaying relapse of KRAS-mutated pancreatic and colorectal cancer (CRC), according to results from a Phase I
I want to address some FAQs that have found their way into my DMs as of late:
1. Yes, I’m “that furry” that helped work on the COVID-19 vaccines. I still do-amongst other vaccines!
2. No, you’re not dreaming.
3. Rude messages and/or snide comments will be ignored. Thank you!
And no, this is in no way meant to seem like gloating. Gloating isn’t good as is and never would it be in the circumstances of a devastating pandemic. I’m just tired of the “You’re a furry?” and some nasty name calling or threats. Like, yes I am. Get over it and have a good day.
And for those who have been EXTREMELY supportive through these past few years, I sincerely appreciate all the lovely comments. The countless “thank you” are not necessary but nevertheless they are appreciated.
Recently, I have been getting a fair amount of questions regarding updated vaccines, timing, and currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 strains so I figured a short FAQ thread would be helpful! 🧪🧵⬇️
So, not COVID related but, this is REALLY exciting news. Midstage trial results show Moderna’s cancer vaccine mRNA-4157 in combination with Merck’s KEYTRUDA reduced the risk of death or relapse in patients with melanoma by HALF after roughly THREE years! Let’s talk about that! 🧵
KEEP IN MIND THESE ARE RESULTS THAT HAVE HELD UP AFTER THREE YEARS showing that benefits demonstrated a year ago have held up over time. That is ASTOUNDING.
Phase 2b randomized KEYNOTE-942/mRNA-4157-P201 study, a clinical trial evaluating mRNA-4157 (V940), an investigational
individualized neoantigen therapy (INT), in combination with KEYTRUDA, Merck's anti-PD-1 therapy, in patients with resected high-risk melanoma (stage III/IV) following complete resection. In this planned analysis occurring with a median follow-up of approximately three years,
HOW COOL IS THIS?! Scientists have created tiny biological robots called “Anthrobots” that can move across a surface and have been found to encourage the growth of neurons across a region of damage in a lab dish. These may one day be able to help heal wounds or damaged tissue! 🧵
The multicellular robots, ranging in size from the width of a human hair to the point of a sharpened pencil, were made to self-assemble and shown to have a remarkable healing effect on other cells. The discovery is a starting point for the researchers’ vision to use patient-
derived biobots as new therapeutic tools for regeneration, healing, and treatment of disease.
In the current study, published in Advanced Science, Levin, along with Ph.D. student Gizem Gumuskaya, discovered that bots can be created from adult human cells without any genetic