Changing population immunity to COVID-19 in the context of infection, vaccination, and emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants

Title : Changing population immunity to COVID-19 in the context of infection, vaccination, and emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants

Abstract:

The changing state of protective immunity to COVID-19 in the global population during the six and a half years since COVID-19’s origin in 2019 is analysed in the context of the (i) circulation of SARS-CoV-2 in the population, (ii) widespread use of different types of COVID-19 vaccines beginning in December 2020 and continuing to the present time, and (iii) ongoing evolution of SARS-CoV-2 to produce mutant viruses with greater infectivity, replication rate, evasion of immunity and transmissibility. The outlook, and possible vaccine strategies, for the future control of COVID-19 are also examined. The continuing generation of new SARS-CoV-2 variants, and the rapid global spread of the more fit variants, also highlights the need to continue the worldwide effort for determining their genome sequences and virological characteristics in order to effectively control COVID-19. Appropriate monitoring of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants in animals also seems essential.

Biography:

Ranjan Ramasamy obtained a BA and PhD from the University of Cambridge, UK. He has held academic appointments in the UK and abroad including Australia, Sri Lanka and the USA. He was the Chairman of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka, and held Professorial appointments in Biochemistry, Immunology and Life Sciences. He was a member of the Board of Governors of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), and a member of Committee for Scientific Planning and Review (CSPR) of the International Council for Science (ICSU) for several years. He has 300 publications pertaining to Biochemistry, Immunology and Infectious Diseases.