The Epsilon variant of COVID-19 is resistant to all available vaccines.

Researchers have found that the Epsilon variant of COVID-19 can reduce the neutralization effect of vaccines, but is not completely vaccine resistant.

Researchers have found that the Epsilon variant of COVID-19 can reduce the neutralization effect of vaccines, but is not completely vaccine resistant.Many variants of coronaviruses have emerged in recent times. WHO has classified some of them as variants of concern as they are resistant to antibodies elicited by infection or vaccination. The transmissibility rate is high and may cause severe disease.

One such variant known as B.1.429, first detected in California, was far more infectious and led to a spike in positive cases. Researchers who studied the mutations said that they found the Epsilon variant can evade specific monoclonal antibodies and reduce the effectiveness of antibodies from the plasma of vaccinated people. They identified three changes in the spike proteins which reduced the potency of vaccines by about 2 to 3.5 fold.

However, these studies were carried out in a lab setting, and experts say that the human immune system has far more defenses than just antibodies. Also, the current set of vaccines being used are holding up against all the variants. Hence we mark the claim as partly true.

The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a lot of potentially dangerous misinformation. For reliable advice on COVID-19, including symptoms, prevention, and available treatment, please refer to the World Health Organization or your national healthcare authority.