Omicron headlines may sound scary. The number of spike protein mutations raise concerns it may be able to escape our vaccines more than other variants… but let’s not worry quite yet. @azzagadir@sciencewithanni and @niniandthebrain teamed up for this collaboration!
While it is unclear at this time whether our existing vaccines will be protective enough against infection or whether we might need an Omicron-specific booster, our current vaccines, most likely will retain protection against severe disease, hospitalization, and death. That is because there are several compartments of the immune system that orchestrate the production of antibodies. This post goes over precisely those.
Antibodies are made by B-cells. These, like the virus, also evolve. With re-exposure (for example “boosters”) the immune system uses the memory B cells made in the first exposure and again further selects the most strongly reactive cells to make memory responses with the higher affinity. That is why it is important to get your booster.
More importantly, our T-cells provide an additional safeguard. Once a virus has been taken in by a cell, it travels through a series of compartments where enzymes unpack it and chop it into small peptides. Peptides are short strings of amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. Unlike B cells that recognize segments of the antigen on the surface of the virus, T cells can be specific to epitopes buried deep within the antigen (for example, internal virus components).This is key.
Research suggests that those vaccine-induced responses remain strong in the face of Covid mutations. Moreover, there is strong evidence for the importance of T cells in protection as patients with B cell deficiencies who get Covid and recover provided have intact T cells.
Our immune system is fascinating in its ability to respond and protect us, with many layers in it. It is important to note that as we learn more about Omicron our public health goals may shift, and decisions made will reflect the specific needs of different populations.