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UK Sees More Coronavirus Cases With Worrying Mutation – What Does This Mean For COVID-19 Vaccine? | Photo credit: iStock Images
Key points
- The UK variant is more contagious than previous versions of the coronavirus
- Experts fear a coronavirus mutation could make COVID-19 vaccines less effective
- This mutation, which was found in both the South African and Brazilian variants, has now been identified in the UK variant.
New Delhi: The variant of the coronavirus, which has been spreading across the UK, has undergone new genetic changes in some regions of the UK, according to news reports. The variant, named B.1.1.7, first identified in the UK in September 2020, has developed a mutation, called E484K.
This so-called ‘escape mutation, E484K, has also been found in both the South African variant (B1351) and the Brazilian variant (P1). Scientists working with Public Health England found a small number of cases of the UK ‘Kent’ variant with the E484K mutation, BBC news reported. Government documents revealed that of approximately 214,159 samples of the variant that the scientists tested, 11 had acquired the mutation.
The report said there are likely more cases that have not been identified. The BBC News report added that the Liverpool area has identified 32 original COVID-19 cases that have the E484K mutation.
E484K mutation: what this means for the COVID-19 vaccine
While scientists are still trying to figure out how the mutation benefits the virus, it is feared that this genetic change could reduce the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines currently approved for use in all countries. Living science previously reported that the E484K mutation can reduce the ability of certain antibodies to neutralize or inactivate the virus before it can enter cells.
It should be noted that data from several drug manufacturers that have been testing their coronavirus vaccines in South Africa showed that their injections were less effective, although they still offer important protection. For example, Johnson & Johnson reported that its one-shot COVID-19 vaccine was 72% effective overall in the US and 57% effective in South Africa, where nearly all of the coronavirus cases in the study were caused. by variant B.1.351. Similarly, the Novavax vaccine was only 60% effective in South Africa, although it was almost 90% effective in the UK.
“He won’t erase it [the effectiveness of vaccines]But it could cut it down, and that’s not something we want to see, ”said John Moore, the Weill Cornell Medical College professor, quoted by WebMD.
However, drug makers said they are already redesigning their jabs in case boosters are required for escape mutations.
Experts emphasized that despite vaccination, measures such as frequent hand washing, wearing masks, social distancing and other safety guidelines remain important to help prevent infection.
