Researchers have found that global immunity to Covid-19 likely offers protection against other sarbecoviruses, potentially reducing the risk of a future coronavirus pandemic. The discovery suggests that widespread infection and vaccination have created a biological barrier against related coronaviruses.
Scientists at the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research (CVR) combined patient antibody samples with mathematical modelling to examine immunity levels against SARS-type viruses. The study was published in the journal Nature Communications.
Pablo Murcia, professor of integrative virology from the CVR, explained the significance: “Our global experience with Covid-19 has generated a biological barrier to other coronaviruses. While this does not mean we are immune to all future threats, infection and vaccine-derived immunity to SARS-CoV-2 has made it much harder for other sarbecoviruses to start the next pandemic. Our study shows the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 in the general population, alongside global vaccination campaigns, generated widespread immunity against related sarbecoviruses, creating an ‘immunity shield’ against the emergence of a novel sarbecovirus in humans.”
Vaccine effectiveness
The research suggests existing Covid-19 vaccines could help slow or stop the spread of a potential new sarbecovirus, dubbed “SARS-CoV-X” by the researchers. Mathematical models indicate current vaccines reduce the chance of sustained transmission of such emerging coronaviruses.
Brian Willett, professor of viral immunology at the CVR, emphasized the importance of timing: “Our results suggest that our current vaccines might be effective against the emergence of a new coronavirus. Our mathematical models strongly suggest that the use of existing Covid-19 vaccines against any new and emerging sarbecoviruses reduced the chance of sustained transmission. We found that current vaccines would be most beneficial if implemented soon after the first SARS-CoV-X case was found. By contrast, delays in implementing any preventative vaccination would likely reduce its effectiveness.”
