However, the challenges in protecting the population against the ever-evolving variants remain complex, especially with regards to the unknown duration of protection. The B.1.351 virus was effectively neutralized by plasma from second wave infections and the first wave virus (SARS-CoV-2) was effectively neutralized by first wave plasma. However, in cross-neutralization, the B.1.351 virus was poorly neutralized by first wave plasma, with a 15.1-fold drop relative to B.1.351 neutralization by second wave plasma across participants. In contrast, second wave plasma cross-neutralization of the first wave virus was more effective, showing only a 2.3-fold decline relative to first wave plasma neutralization of first wave virus. However, the duration of that protection and protection against future evolving variants is still uncertain.

Source: Forbes April 01, 2021 18:22 UTC