A new variant of the novel coronavirus has ravaged its way through the United Kingdom, and now experts across the world are researching whether the COVID-19 vaccine will stop the new mutations.
What’s going on?
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a series of new lockdowns and restrictions in the UK after officials identified a new variant to the COVID-19 vaccine.
- “The spread is being driven by the new variant of the virus,” Johnson said in a press conference. “It appears to spread more easily and may be up to 70% more transmissible than the earlier strain.”
Will the vaccine stop the new variant?
Scientists at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research have already jumped into research about the virus’ new variant, according to CNN.
The scientists expect to know in the next few days whether or not there should be concern about the vaccine stopping the virus.
Dr. Nelson Michael, director of the Center for Infectious Diseases Research at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, said there’s always worry the virus will mutate to a point where the vaccine won’t work.
- However, Michael said that most scientists believe the vaccine will still be effective.
Vin Gupta, an affiliate assistant professor from the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, told CNBC that he expects the vaccine to stop the new variant, too.
- “There is a strong belief here that the vaccine, as it exists today … will have effectiveness in warding off infection from this new strain in England, in addition to the old strain that we’ve been contending with for months now,” said Gupta.
What if there is a concern?
Michael said that his team is conducting a computer model research program to determine concern. If the analysis shows concerns, then the team would conduct studies in laboratories and with animals to understand the impact more.
- “The computer analysis will allow us to gauge how much concern we should have,” Michael said. “Other teams around the world are doing this analysis, too.”