New Study Suggests , T Cells Could Lead , to Universal COVID Vaccine.
'Newsweek' reports that a new study suggests that immune system T cells from previous illnesses could help defend people against COVID-19. .
The research could lead to a new generation
of potential vaccines. .
The study was conducted at the Imperial College London under lead author Dr. Rhia Kundu. .
Another senior author of the study, Professor Ajit Lalvani, said that a new type of vaccine utilizing T cells could prevent infection from current and future variants of COVID. .
Our study provides the clearest evidence
to date that T cells induced by common cold
coronaviruses play a protective role
against SARS-CoV-2 infection, Professor Ajit Lalvani, director of the NIHR Respiratory
Infections Health Protection Research Unit
at Imperial College London, via BBC.
However, Dr. Kundu and others have cautioned
that while the study showed promising results,
people should still get vaccinated now.
While this is an important discovery,
it is only one form of protection, and
I would stress that no one should rely
on this alone. Instead, the best way
to protect yourself against COVID-19
is to be fully vaccinated, including
getting your booster dose, Dr. Rhia Kundu, Imperial College London press release, via BBC.
'Newsweek' explains that T cells
are a form of white blood cells and
are a critical part of the immune system. .
T cells reportedly provide protection
by attacking proteins within the COVID-19 virus. .
The journal, 'Nature Communications'
published the study, on January 10, 2022