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. 2021 May 18;2(5):100264.
doi: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2021.100264. Epub 2021 Apr 18.

BNT162b2 vaccination effectively prevents the rapid rise of SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7 in high-risk populations in Israel

Ariel Munitz  1   2 , Matan Yechezkel  3 , Yoav Dickstein  4 , Dan Yamin  3   2 , Motti Gerlic  1   2
Affiliations

BNT162b2 vaccination effectively prevents the rapid rise of SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7 in high-risk populations in Israel

Ariel Munitz et al. Cell Rep Med. .

Abstract

Since the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, various genetic variants have been described. The B.1.1.7 variant, which emerged in England during December 2020, is associated with increased infectivity. Therefore, its pattern of spread is of great importance. The Israeli government established three national programs: massive RT-PCR testing, focused surveillance in nursing homes, and robust prioritized vaccination with BNT162b2. To define the impact of the aforementioned programs, we analyze data from ∼300,000 RT-PCR samples collected from December 6, 2020, to February 10, 2021. We reveal that the B.1.1.7 is 45% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 20%-60%) more transmissible than the wild-type strain and has become the dominant strain in Israel within 3.5 weeks. Despite the rapid increase in viral spread, focused RT-PCR testing and prioritized vaccination programs are capable of preventing the spread of the B.1.1.7 variant in the elderly. Therefore, proactive surveillance programs, combined with prioritized vaccination, are achievable and can reduce severe illness and subsequent death.

Keywords: B.1.1.7; BNT162b2; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; surveillance; transmission; vaccination; vaccine; variant; viral infection.

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Conflict of interest statement

A.M. and M.G. serve as scientific advisors for the Electra-TAU COVID-19 testing laboratory. Y.D. served as the Director of the Electra-TAU COVID-19 testing laboratory until March 31.

Figures

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Graphical abstract
Figure 1
Figure 1
The emergence of variant B.1.1.7 in Israel (A) Daily new-case distribution between wild-type (SARS-CoV-2) and variant B.1.1.7 over time. Timing of lockdowns is indicated. (B) Effective reproduction number (Rt) of wild-type (SARS-CoV-2) and variant B.1.1.7 with 95% credible intervals over time. The effective reproduction number of variant B.1.1.7 was 1.45 (1.20–1.60) times higher than that of the wild-type. (C) The Ct value distribution (presented as a violin plot) for the N gene and the ORF1ab gene among infected individuals older than 60 years at nursing homes versus infected individuals older than 60 years in the general community. Data were calculated using GraphPad Prism 9; the black, dotted line represents the calculated median and quartile values. Statistical analysis was performed using a t test; p values are shown. (D) Incidence of viral infection with variant B.1.1.7 per 1,000 individuals, as stratified by age (left axis). Cumulative vaccination coverage 2 weeks after first dose per age group is shown (right axis). In (A), (B), and (D), data are from the analysis of 292,268 individual samples. In (C), each dot represents a different sample (no biological or technical replicates were performed). Data were calculated using GraphPad Prism 9; correlation analysis was performed using a Pearson correlation coefficient test (two-tailed, 95% confidence); r values are shown.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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