The antibodies generated by vaccination with Convacell, a vaccine developed by the Federal Medical and Biological Agency (FMBA), provide protection against the new COVID-19 strain NB.1.8.1. MIR 19, FMBA’s antiviral drug, also remains effective in cases with this strain. The press service of the FMBA stated that to TASS, explaining that the Convacell vaccine is based on the recombinant nucleocapsid (N) protein of SARS-CoV-2, which provides broad protection against different strains of the virus.
“Convacell helps our bodies develop immunity against new strains of SARS-CoV-2,” the FMBA noted. According to the agency, NB.1.8.1 is close to the NB.1 strain, which differs from Omicron by only six mutations. Since Convacel was developed with viral variability in mind, the immune response generated by the vaccine remains effective. The FMBA also stressed that the analysis of NB.1.8.1 has not revealed any mutations that reduce the effectiveness of MIR 19, the world’s first specific antiviral agent for the treatment of COVID-19.
Convacell, developed by the FMBA of the Russian Federation, completed the third phase of clinical trials and received a certificate of permanent registration from the Ministry of Health in 2024 The Agency reported an efficacy rate of 85.2% then.
FMBA emphasized that there’s no need to update the vaccine’s formulation to address new strains, as its immunological effectiveness remains consistent across variants.
