T-cells can fight Omicron when antibodies fail to, Australian researchers say

Human bodies have a second line of defence against Covid that offers hope in the global fight against the Omicron variant, Australian researchers say.

University of Melbourne research, done in conjunction with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, has found T-cells should be able to tackle the virus.

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The research has just been published in the peer-reviewed journal Viruses.

Among the epitopes that had the Omicron mutation, more than half were predicted to still be visible to T-cells, HKUST research assistant professor and study co-lead Ahmed Abdul Quadeer said.

Booy also pointed to world-first work being done at the Westmead Institute for Medical Research on how long-term immunity to Covid works, and the possibilities of a T-cell vaccine.

The new University of Melbourne research also adds to existing international work that shows the importance of T-cells.

South African researchers have found that T-cells can robustly protect against Omicron after it has evaded antibodies. A small South African study that has not yet been peer-reviewed also suggested T-cells have a role to play.