Vaccines likely still effective vs UK COVID-19 variant –DOH expert

An expert from the Department of Health (DOH) said that the efficacy of the current vaccines against COVID-19 will most likely not be affected by  a new variant of the novel coronavirus in the United Kingdom.

In a press briefing on Sunday, DOH-Technical Advisory Group’s (TAG) Dr. Edsel Salvana said that in case the new variant of the virus would have an implication on a vaccine’s efficacy, it would be gradual.

“Wala pa tayong alam sa ngayon, if this affects it. But pinag-aaralan naman. Based on the number of mutations most likely hindi naman,” Salvana said.

“Kapag nagiging resistant ang isang virus doon sa vaccine. Hindi naman 'yang biglang zero e. Makikita mo from 95 'yung sa Pfizer, magiging 85, magiging 70 so magiging gradual process,” he added.

If a surveillance system is in place, Salvana said that experts can anticipate this happening and tweak the vaccine to make it more effective.

Salvana said that viruses mutate as the number of infections increase.

Due to this, TAG’s Dr. Anna Ong-Lim reminded the public to strictly observe minimum health protocols to avoid the development of the new variant of the virus.

“Habang kumakalat siyab sa isang population, nangingibabaw ‘yung mas matitibay, mas magaling kumalat, manghawa. At sila ‘yung nagiging dominant within the population,” she said.

“Hindi na natin kailangan maghintay ng importation (ng new variant), pupuwedeng dahil kumakalaat ang sakit sa atin, meron din tayong sarili naiting variant,’ she added.

Dr. Cynthia Saloma of the Philippine Genome Center added that mutation was part of the virus’ process. The virus mutates when there is an "error" on its copying, replicating process.

“It is also very important for everyone to know na just because my changes sa virus na 'yan, it doesn't mean na lagi siyang deleterious or harmful. Puwede namang ang mutation neutral—wala lang,” she said.

Saloma said that more than 12,000 mutations were recorded in SARS-CoV-2.

“So, it's not new na may mutations. It's normal,” she said.

“Hindi naman palaging bad 'yun. Puwede naman na ang mutation bad sa virus, e di mamatay siya. Puwede rin'yun. In the same manner, puwede rin yung mag-mutate ang virus na parang walang nangyari,” she added. — DVM, GMA News