In the midst of the emergence of a third wave of Coronavirus infection in some countries, there is good news that will give you a little hope, and from it a study concluded that a vaccine provides 100% protection for adolescents, and a study revealed that a type of immune cell counteracts the new Corona strains. .

Cells respond to new corona strains

An American laboratory study published on Tuesday showed that an important component of the immune system known as cytotoxic T cells that respond to infection with the Coronavirus also protects - apparently - from 3 new strains, which are of the most concern.

Several recent studies revealed that certain strains of the emerging corona virus may undermine the immune protection of antibodies and vaccines.

But the antibodies that prevent the Corona virus from attaching to human cells may not tell the whole story, according to the study conducted by researchers at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and it appears that T cells play an important, additional preventive role.

"Our data, along with results from other groups, show that the killer T cells that counteract Covid-19 in people with primary viral strains seem to fully recognize what they are," said Andrew Reed, who led the study from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. The new major strains detected in the United Kingdom, South Africa and Brazil. "

The researchers analyzed the blood of 30 people who had recovered from Covid-19 before the new, more contagious strains appeared.

From these samples, the researchers identified a specific form of T cells that were active against the virus, and studied how these T cells functioned against the new strains that were detected in South Africa, the United Kingdom and Brazil.

They concluded that protection by T cells remained largely effective, and that they could virtually recognize all mutations in the strains under study.

The results are supported by a previous study that also indicates continued protection for T cells in the face of new strains.

Researchers at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said larger studies were needed to confirm the findings.

Reid stressed the need for constant monitoring of strains that can evade protection of antibodies and T cells.

The French newspaper "Le Parisien" mentioned that the T cells - also known as "killer T cells" because their function is to eliminate the infected cells - are part of the immune response along with the antibodies.

The virus carries a mutation in an area on its surface, which allows it to attack human cells, especially when infected with the South African strain.

These mutations render the antibodies - the other part of the immune response - unable to recognize the mutated strains.

In the case of the Covid-19 virus, antibodies stick to the extremities to prevent the virus from infecting cells, while T lymphocytes are responsible for killing the cells that are already infected.

The study showed that the response of the "killer T cells" is still largely intact, and it can actually recognize all the mutated strains in contrast to the antibodies.

100% effective vaccine for those between 12 and 15 years old

Pfizer and BioNTech announced today, Wednesday, that their vaccine against Corona is 100% effective in those between the ages of 12 and 15, according to the results of a clinical trial, expressing their hope to start vaccinating this segment before the next school year.

The two labs said in a statement that the third phase trials - which included 2,260 boys and girls from that category - "showed 100% efficacy and strong antibody responses."

Albert Burla, Director-General of the US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Group, said that the testers will submit these data to the relevant authorities in the world, "with the hope that this age group will be vaccinated before the start of the next school year."

For his part, Chairman of the Board of Directors of German Biontech Laboratories Ugur Shaheen said that the results on boys and girls between 12 and 15 years are "very encouraging, in light of the trends observed in the past weeks regarding the spread" of the mutated version of the virus that was detected in Britain.

Young people are less likely to have severe cases from Covid-19, and younger people under the age of 10 years are less likely to transmit the disease, and therefore, vaccination has not been prioritized at the present time.

Last week, Pfizer and Biontek began clinical studies on children, including a first group of children between the ages of 5 and 11 years, with a younger group (between two and five years old) receiving the first dose of the vaccine next week, as part of the study that will also cover children between 6 One month and two years.

More good news

  • In Spain, the number of Coronavirus cases decreased by 95% between January and February in nursing homes, according to a government report issued on March 3, and the number of confirmed deaths due to the Corona virus decreased by 77% during The same period in these institutions.

    This decline coincided with the administration of the second dose of the vaccine in mid-January, according to Maud Casabet in the report published by the French newspaper, Lobs.

  • No deaths from the Corona virus were recorded in London last Sunday, which is unprecedented for 6 months.

    In addition, the "stay at home" order has been lifted, and groups of 6 or members of two different families are now allowed to meet outside.

    Outdoor sports facilities such as tennis courts, golf courses or swimming pools can also be reopened.

  • In Germany, a recent study showed a clear decline in the death rate among patients with the new Corona virus in university hospitals over the course of 2020. Researchers at the German University of Erlangen explained that, from the scientists' perspective, this is evidence of improved treatment and increased experience of hospital teams in facing the epidemic.