Graphic summary (IMAGE)
Caption
Top: Compared to the spike protein of the original virus from the start of the pandemic, the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariant BA.5 harbors several shared mutations that were also observed for the previously circulating Omicron subvariants BA.1 and BA.2 (red). Further, BA.5 carries additional, unique mutations that were not observed earlier subvariants (green). Bottom left: The additional unique mutations of the Omicron subvariant BA.5 reduce the efficacy of several therapeutic antibodies or renders them useless. Bottom center: Previous infection with the earlier Omicron subvariants BA.1 or BA.2 confers only little protection against infection with BA.5. Bottom right: Triple vaccination also provides less protection against infection with BA.5 compared, however, the level of reduction is minor. Image: Markus Hoffmann
Credit
Image: Markus Hoffmann
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Only for use in connection with reporting on the German Primate Center
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