A variant of coronavirus found for the first time in the UK has gained a mutation that may make it more resistant to vaccines, according to a new analysis by Public Health England.
The variant, known as B.1.1.7, was first discovered in December and spread quickly across the UK. It has since appeared in 72 countries. It is much more transmissible than other strains and there is evidence that it can cause more deaths.
In the United States, the variant was discovered in 32 states, although experts believe it is much more widespread and could become the dominant strain in March.
According to the analysis, the estimated rates for cases with the mutation are 25 to 40 percent higher than the attack rates estimated for other strains.
Another mutation, known as E484K, is linked to strains in Brazil and South Africa that have been shown to be more resistant to existing vaccines.
The existing vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer are effective against the B.1.1.7 strain, but the variant found in South Africa is more problematic. Test data from Johnson & Johnson and Novavax show that their COVID-19 vaccines are not as effective against it.
This 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, a preliminary investigation found the E484K mutation to appear more than once among the B.1.1.7 variants.
If so, it is a sign that the mutation is a relatively easy way for the virus to gain an advantage.
Experts say the best way to prevent new mutations and more potentially dangerous variants is for people to be vaccinated as soon as possible, because more immune people mean less chance of the virus spreading and evolving.
Vaccines can be updated to specifically address this mutation and mRNA vaccines – which include Pfizer and Moderna products – are particularly suitable for updating.