Vaccine escape in a heterogeneous population: insights for SARS-CoV-2 from a simple model.

ABSTRACT: As a countermeasure to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, there has been swift development and clinical trial assessment of candidate vaccines, with subsequent deployment as part of mass vaccination campaigns. However, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has demonstrated the ability to mutate and develop variants, which can modify epidemiological properties and potentially also the effectiveness of vaccines. The widespread deployment of highly effective vaccines may rapidly exert selection pressure on the SARS-CoV-2 virus directed towards mutations that escape the vaccine-induced immune response. This is particularly concerning while infection is widespread. By developing and analysing a mathematical model of two population groupings with differing vulnerability and contact rates, we explore the impact of the depl

SUBMITTER: Gog JR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8278051 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature