Sai reddy, a researcher and immunologist at ETH Zurich, has warned of the potential emergence of a new super variant of the coronavirus that could arise if the characteristics of the existing variants combine, reported RTS.

Reddy, who works in the Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering at ETH Zurich in Basel, told the SonntagsBlick newspaper that it is very likely that a new variant will emerge and that we will no longer be able to rely on a single vaccination. That is why we need to prepare for several vaccinations over the next few years, which will be continuously adapted to new variants.

The beta (South Africa) and gamma (Brazil) coronavirus variants have mutated so that they can partially escape antibodies. Delta (India) is much more contagious, but has yet to develop the same antibodies avoiding the mutations seen in the beta and gamma variants. However, if beta or gamma becomes more contagious, or if delta mutates like beta and gamma, then we could be talking about a new phase of the pandemic, according to Reddy. “It would become the big problem for the coming year. Covid-22 could be even worse than what we are currently experiencing, ”he said.

Reddy also promotes third booster shots. The delta variant may escape vaccination due to its high viral load. We have to counter that with a high level of antibodies, which is exactly what a third booster does, he said.

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