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From: kludge@panix.com (Scott Dorsey)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.fandom,rec.arts.sf.science,rec.arts.sf.written
Subject: Re: idiots walk among us
Date: Sun, 9 Mar 2025 19:39:44 -0400 (EDT)
Organization: Former users of Netcom shell (1989-2000)
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References: <vqi9v6$adaq$1@dont-email.me> <memo.20250309165429.7076A@pauldormer.cix.co.uk>
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Paul Dormer <prd@pauldormer.cix.co.uk> wrote:
>
>Also, I'm told that the virus mutates so much, it's a matter of luck
>whether that year's vaccine will work on that year's virus.

This is the problem with RNA viruses... the mechanism for them to take over
a cell isn't very good and is prone to major transcription errors.  So
the virus doesn't propagate cleanly and you get all of these variants with
different antigens.  But they are often similar enough that the vaccine
is sometimes helpful even when it isn't spot on.
--scott
-- 
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."