Coronavirus: Pfizer raises hopes vaccine can fight new strains found in Britain and South Africa
- Preliminary research conducted with the University of Texas suggests it will still work against the new variants of Covid-19
- The viral mutations have proved more transmissible than other strains as infection rates soar in some countries
Pfizer released the results of a joint study conducted with the University of Texas Medical Branch on Thursday.
It tested the vaccine resistance of 20 participants in its earlier trials against lab-made versions of the new strains of the virus. It found no reduction in their ability to neutralise the new strains.
Both strains, which appear more contagious than previous ones, are rampant in the countries in which they were first detected. Britain recorded a record 62,322 cases of Covid-19 on Wednesday, with South Africa recording over 21,000.
Countries around the world have issued travel bans and restrictions to prevent the transmission of the new strains across borders, but both have already spread globally.
Whilst there is no evidence that they cause a more severe illness, the heightened contagiousness of the strains has raised concerns. Scientists also fear that the strain discovered in South Africa carries a mutation that may make it more resistant to vaccines.