In the quest for the ideal vaccine—one that provides thorough protection in a single dose without side effects and offers lifelong immunity—current vaccines face significant challenges. A recent study highlights the difficulty in achieving long-lasting protection due to the limited production of long-lived plasma cells (LLPCs), which are essential for durable immunity. The study compared bone marrow samples from individuals vaccinated with COVID-19, tetanus, and influenza vaccines, finding a deficiency of LLPCs specific to COVID-19. This shortfall may relate to the structural spacing of the SARS-CoV-2 virus spikes, which hinders effective B-cell receptor cross-linking. Despite skepticism regarding this explanation, the importance of generating LLPCs for lasting vaccine efficacy is clear. Future vaccine development must focus on creating new immunogens and understanding immune cell activation to enhance long-term protection against infectious diseases.
Original Story https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/study-offers-clues-to-why-covid-19-vaccine-protection-wanes-quickly/article68810068.ece
Category :
Tags:
