According to a new analysis from Public Health England, a variant of the coronavirus has acquired a mutation for the first time in the UK that could make it more resistant to vaccines.
The variant, known as B.1.1.7, was first discovered in December and quickly spread across the UK. It has since surfaced in 72 countries. It is much more transmissible than other tribes, and there is some evidence that it could cause more deaths.
In the US, the variant has been discovered in 32 states, although experts believe it is likely much more widespread and could become the dominant species in March.
According to the analysis, the estimated rates for cases with the mutation are 25 to 40 percent higher than the estimated attacks for other strains.
Another mutation, known as E484K, has been linked to strains in Brazil and South Africa that have been shown to be more resistant to existing vaccines.
The existing Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are effective against the B.1.1.7 strain, but the variant found in South Africa is more problematic. Research data from Johnson & Johnson and Novavax shows that their COVID-19 vaccines are not as effective against it.
That South African variant, known as B.1.351, has been reported in 31 countries and at least two states so far.
According to Public Health England, preliminary research has shown that the E484K mutation occurs more than once in the B.1.1.7 variants.
If so, that’s a sign that the mutation is a relatively easy way for the virus to take advantage.
Experts say the best way to prevent further mutations and potentially more dangerous variants is to get people vaccinated as soon as possible, because people with a larger immune system are less likely to spread and evolve the virus.
Vaccines can be updated to specifically address that mutation, and mRNA vaccines – including the Pfizer and Moderna products – are particularly suitable for updating.