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ACCORDING TO STUDIES:

https://news.yahoo.com/brazil-variant-evades-61-immunity-113905217.html

Using a “dynamic model” made up of genetic and death data, the global scientists estimate the Brazil variant is 1.4 to 2.2 times more transmissible than previously circulating versions of the coronavirus.

The Brazil variant may also be able to evade 25% to 61% of “protective immunity elicited by previous infection” with other versions of the virus, the results suggest.

To put this into context, “if 100 people were infected, 25 to 61 are susceptible” to the Brazil variant, according to study author Dr Nuno Faria, from Imperial College London.

[SNIP]

Dr Susan Hopkins, from Public Health England, added: “This variant that emerged in Manaus in Brazil is really quite similar to the [variant] from South Africa and they have a number of mutations that are suggested to increase transmissibility.

“Manaus in particular reported a number of individuals were reinfected with this variant, and therefore that suggests having had prior immunity from primary infection wasn’t enough to reduce infection and transmission, and that may also impact on the vaccine.”

Some believe vaccine effectiveness may be reduced, but is highly unlikely to be eliminated altogether.

Dr Jeffrey Barrett, who genetically sequences coronavirus samples at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, also told the Today programme: “I think there is some laboratory-based evidence it [the Brazil variant] is partially less neutralised by vaccines.

“I don’t think we know how much of a difference that will make in the real world.

“We certainly don’t think it will be completely able to escape vaccination.”