Antigenic shift can lead to significant changes in a virus, creating new strains against which the population's existing immunity (from previous infections or vaccinations) may be less effective or ineffective, thus potentially limiting the duration of immunity.

Solved

Antigenic Shift

Question 168

Multiple Choice

Antigenic shift

A) has only been observed in the influenza virus.
B) can result in small changes to the SARS-CoV-2 surface spike proteins but does not result in new variants of the virus.
C) has not yet been observed in the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
D) can limit the duration of immunity conferred by infection and vaccination.

Correct Answer: