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Note that

1. The sera they tested this against obtained antibodies through natural infection. It's not clear whether vaccine-induced immunity is protective against this variant.

2. They only tested for neutralizing antibodies, but there is still T-Cell response which could provide protection.

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The primary benefit of the vaccine over 'natural' immunity (other than avoiding actual exposure) is the emphasis on neutralizing antibody formation.

I had assumed the vaccine was also intended/believed to induce T-cell response, is that not the case? Given that they disappear within a matter of months after a natural infection, how long are the antibodies from the vaccines believed to last?

Oh, it is. I meant that that is also part of 'natural' immunization. The distinction between the 'natural' exposure and the vaccine is that the natural exposure targets a number of epitopes, which may or may not include effective neutralizing antibodies against the spike protein; the vaccine, on the other hand, only offers the spike as an antigen, so you know you're generating neutralizing ab.

There are vaccines in development that also target the N-protein.

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