The Lambda variant of coronavirus could be resistant to COVID-19 vaccine, suggests a new study from Japan.

The study also stated that the C.37 variant may be more infectious like the presently dominant Delta variant. Lambda variant has been classified as a Variant of Interest (VOI) and not a Variant of Concern (VOC), and people therefore may not consider it as a threat. The study; however, noted that the Lambda strain may not be curbed by vaccines. The report posted on bioRxiv is yet to be peer-reviewed.

The study has shown that the Lambda variant can bypass the antibodies that can fight the virus. Researchers stated the vaccination rate in Chile is relatively high, with around 60% of the people having received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Yet, there has been a huge surge in COVID-19 cases, thus suggesting that the Lambda variant has the potential to evade the immunity evoked by vaccination.

The Lambda variant has been identified in 26 countries thus far and has caused considerable outbreaks in Chile, Peru, Argentina and Ecuador and some other South American nations… (Zee News, August 13, 2021)