Covid-19: In vitro studies show Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines produce fewer antibodies against South African variant

Study 1: Neutralizing Activity of BNT162b2-Elicited Serum — Preliminary Report – New England Journal of Medicine

Study 2: Serum Neutralizing Activity Elicited by mRNA-1273 Vaccine — Preliminary Report – New England Journal of Medicine

Commentaries: Expert reaction to two NEJM Correspondence articles on in vitro studies of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines and different variants/mutations including mutations on the South Africa variant – Science Media Centre AND Lab studies suggest Pfizer, Moderna vaccines can protect against coronavirus variant – CNN AND Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have reduced effectiveness against South African variant, newly published studies show – The Washington Post AND Pfizer, Moderna vaccines less effective against South African COVID variant – MedicalXpress

Commentary on Twitter

New reports @NEJM today confirming some immune evasion of the B.1.351 variant (identified in South Africa) to both the mRNA vaccines, in vitro data @BioNTech_Group/@Pfizer and @moderna_tx. Less vaccine efficacy vs B.1.351 has been confirmed in clinical trials for 3 vaccines pic.twitter.com/2N7eKDllso

— Eric Topol (@EricTopol) February 17, 2021