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(Adds background of variant, AstraZeneca's vaccine, adds
comments by AstraZeneca representative)
By Kanishka Singh
Dec 22 (Reuters) - British drugmaker AstraZeneca Plc
told Reuters on Tuesday its COVID-19 vaccine should be effective
against the new coronavirus variant, adding that studies were
under way to fully probe the impact of the mutation.
"AZD1222 (AstraZeneca's vaccine candidate) contains the
genetic material of the SARS-CoV-2 virus spike protein, and the
changes to the genetic code seen in this new viral strain do not
appear to change the structure of the spike protein," an
AstraZeneca representative said in an email.
Drugmakers are scrambling to test their COVID-19 vaccines
against the new fast-spreading variant of the virus that is
raging in Britain, the latest challenge in the breakneck race to
curb the pandemic.
"Through vaccination with AZD1222, the body's immune system
is trained to recognise many different parts of the spike
protein, so that it can eliminate the virus if it is later
exposed," the AstraZeneca representative added.
The mutation known as the B.1.1.7 lineage may be up to 70%
more infectious and more of a concern for children. It has sown
chaos in Britain, prompting a wave of travel bans that are
disrupting trade with Europe and threatening to further isolate
the island country.
The AstraZeneca-Oxford shot is considered vital for
lower-income countries and those in hot climates because it is
cheaper, easier to transport and can be stored for long periods
at normal refrigerator temperatures.
Data from AstraZeneca's late-stage trials in the UK and
Brazil released earlier this month showed the vaccine had
efficacy of 62% for trial participants given two full doses, but
90% for a smaller sub-group given a half, then a full dose.
Reuters reported late on Tuesday that India is likely to
approve AstraZeneca's vaccine for emergency use by next week.
(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Leslie
Adler and Matthew Lewis)
