A new variant of the coronavirus circulating in South Africa is now being seen in other countries, including the United Kingdom.
Experts are urgently studying to understand the risk it poses.
Both new variants from South Africa and the UK ‘Kent’ appear to be more contagious, which is a problem because tougher restrictions on society may be needed to control the spread.
But while changes to the new UK variant are unlikely to undermine the effectiveness of current vaccines, there is a chance that those in the South African variant will do so to some extent, scientists say.
Dr. Simon Clarke, a cell microbiology expert at the University of Reading, said: “The South African variant has several additional mutations, including changes in some of the peak virus proteins that are of concern.”
The spike protein is what the coronavirus uses to enter human cells. It is also the part where vaccines are designed, which is why experts are concerned about these specific mutations.
However, even in the worst case scenario, vaccines can be redesigned in a matter of weeks or months if necessary, experts say.
Learn more about the South Africa variant here.