Study of convalescent sera from 44 South Africans infected in first wave >90% showed reduced immunity and 48% had complete immune esape to 501Y.V2

Virus is spreading (~50%) faster in 2nd wave than 1st wave in SA’s coastal provinces where the 501Y.V2 variant is known to be dominant

Current data suggests that new variant is not more severe

Published convalescent serum studies suggest natural antibodies less effective – viral escape facilitated by 484, 501 & N-terminal mutations

Vaccine antibodies are different – may or may not be impacted

No empiric evidence yet on whether vaccines are effective against the 501Y.V2 variant – studies are underway

https://lauralopezgonzalez.press/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Caprisa-Update-on-variant-found-in-South-Africa-18-Jan-2021.pdf