Immune system T-cells can fight omicron COVID-19 variant, study suggests -
theold - 06-01-2022
"T-cell responses alone, however, do not block infection and therefore do not prevent transmission. Thus, while the number of infections may rise considerably as a consequence of omicron’s ability to evade antibodies, robust T-cell immunity provides hope that, similar to other [variants of concern], the level of protection against severe disease would remain high".
Among these T-cell epitopes that have omicron mutations, our further analysis revealed that more than half are predicted to still be visible to T-cells.
The researchers also found that more than 97% of non-spike T-cell epitopes do not encompass omicron-associated mutations.
"These results overall would suggest that broad escape from T-cells is very unlikely," McKay noted. "Based on our data, we anticipate that T-cell responses elicited by vaccines and boosters, for example, will continue to help protect against omicron, as observed for other variants."
https://www.foxnews.com/health/immune-system-t-cells-omicron-covid-19-variant-study