The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants that may affect COVID-19 vaccine efficacy - a systematic review

Abstract

Background and Aim of the study: Recent developments in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, have demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 is rapidly adapting to its new human host through viral evolution. The independent emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants globally is now a major factor to be taken into consideration in the development and deployment of vaccines and therapeutics. This systematic review highlights a growing body of literature examining the possible impact of these variants on the global COVID-19 vaccine development and vaccination programs underway.

Method: Data were gathered from multiple sources such as google scholar and databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, and Research Gate with search terms such as “SARS-CoV-2 variant”. The Snowball method was used to track down other related articles. Eligible literature was only those in line with the objective of the review, and published from January 2020, up to January 2021.

Result: The reviewed literature highlights the primary impact of the independent variants such as increased transmissibility relative to the ancestral strain, prolonged viral shedding and delayed viral clearance, and reduced neutralizing capacities of antibodies elicited by ancestral strains.

Conclusion: The emergence of the new strain with increased fitness in terms of transmissibility and immune escape poses a serious challenge to the successful deployment of one of the strongest public health measures available at our disposal in the fight against COVID-19. Increasing global capacity for genomic surveillance and adaptability in the recalibration of vaccine and therapeutic programs will be important attributes to develop for the successful management of this major global health crisis.