‘Significant number’ of Brits are naturally immune to coronavirus – without EVER being infected
A “SIGNIFICANT number” of Brits are naturally immune to coronavirus – without EVER being infected, a top scientist has said.
Sir John Bell, regius professor of medicine at Oxford University, said it’s likely a large amount of the population already have a “background level” of protection against Covid-19.
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Research has shown that being infected with other coronaviruses, such as the common cold, could offer some protection against the new bug.
Recent studies have found that a separate part of the immune system, known as T-cells, were already had in the blood of some patients who had recovered from Covid.
Similarly to antibodies, they are made in response to an infection – and remain afterwards – suggesting that previous exposure to other coronaviruses had somehow primed their T-cells to recognise and attack Covid-19.
It’s thought they could be responsible for stopping the virus in people who never show symptoms.
But more importantly, those T-cells die off in older people, which could explain why the elderly are at higher risk of severe illness.
T-cell protection
Sir John, who is leading a team developing a vaccine at Oxford, told the Commons science and technology select committee that these T-cells coud be found in a “significant number of people”.
“What seems clear is you do have cross-reaction from T-cells that are activated by standard endemic coronaviruses,” he said.
“I think they are present in quite a significant number of people.
“So there is probably background T-cell immunity in people before they see the coronavirus, and that may be relevant that many people get a pretty asymptomatic disease.
“Those T-cells get a bit tired once you’re beyond the age of 65 and may not be as effective at removing a virus, so that may explain a number of different features of the disease.”
The vaccine being developed by his team has been found to boost T-cell response, as well as stimulate antibodies.
But the research suggests that many more people may already have some protection, so herd immunity may be easier and quicker to establish, the Telegraph reported.
Professor Sarah Gilbert, of the vaccine team, said: “It’s possible that we are underestimating natural or already acquired immunity to this virus, and we really need to keep an eye on it.
“There is certainly evidence that people who have been infected with Covid-19 have not developed antibodies but have developed a T-cell response, and that would be likely to protect them against another infection.
“I think you have to keep an open mind about whether you have a large number of people who have protective T-cells in the absence of antibodies.”
‘Prepare for worst’
Sir John also warned that the UK must “prepare for the worst” this winter, instead of relying on the development of a successful coronavirus vaccine.
His comments came in response to Greg Clark, chairman of the Science and Technology Select Committee, who asked if the country should be preparing for the winter without a vaccine, or if one might be ready in time.
Sir John said: “This whole epidemic has relied too heavily on assumptions that have turned out not to be true.
“So, my strong advice is be prepared for the worst.”
My strong advice is be prepared for the worst
Sir John Bell
The MPs also heard that it could be chaos in hospitals if the UK sees a resurgence of coronavirus this winter, alongside a serious flu season.
Sir John said it was therefore important to make sure that people were getting the flu vaccine.
He explained: “I think one of the things that clinical staff in hospitals worry about is if we do have a significant flu season.
“Then we are going to have a bit of a clinical problem if we’ve also got Covid running alongside because you’ll get people with severe pneumonias arriving with fever and all the usual things, and it’ll be pandemonium in the A&E departments.
“So, what I’m rather hoping is that first of all we ideally expand the number of people getting flu vaccines so we get better coverage, and secondly we push quite hard to make sure people are compliant and participate in the flu vaccine programmes.
“The uptake is lamentably small in some countries and I think we’re not messing around anymore.
“This could be really serious if people don’t get their vaccines.”
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Kate Bingham, chairwoman of the UK’s Vaccine Taskforce, told the committee that while she was optimistic that a vaccine would be developed, in the short-term it may just be one that reduces the severity of the disease, rather than prevents people from getting it.
Asked when a vaccine may be available, she said maybe by early next year depending on the success of clinical trials.
Prof Gilbert told the committee she hoped their vaccine might be ready earlier, but it depended on trials showing efficacy, and she could not put a time frame on it.