The new coronaviruses will continue to infect bats and other animal reservoirs and could emerge as pandemic threats to humans. To counter future coronavirus outbreaks, the scientific and medical community must focus on three goals , concludes a new study developed by scientists from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), and published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Are these:
- Characterize the range of genetic diversity of the coronavirus in multiple animal species
- Better understand the pathogenesis of coronavirus disease in laboratory animal models and people
- Apply this knowledge to the development of long-lasting, broad-protection coronavirus vaccines.
Researchers Anthony S. Fauci and Jeffery K. Taubenberger of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) call for an international collaborative effort to obtain extensive coronavirus samples from bats, as well as wild and farm animals, to help to understand the full “universe” of existing and emerging coronaviruses.
And it is that, despite the availability of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines, it is unknown if it is possible to achieve permanent immunity in humans.
The authors describe the characteristics of an ideal universal coronavirus vaccine that would provide long-lasting protection against most or all coronaviruses for people of all ages and communities in general. To do this , we must know which vaccines elicit better rapid responses (antibodies, for example) and long-lasting “memory” immune responses that could defend against emerging coronaviruses.
Referencia: “Universal Coronavirus Vaccines — An Urgent Need” by David M. Morens, M.D., Jeffery K. Taubenberger, M.D., Ph.D. and Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., 15 December 2021, The New England Journal of Medicine.
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMp2118468
