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Sars-cov-2 has a tendency to mutate, although not to the same extent as other viruses such as influenza or HIV, and a large number of mutations have already been detected. However, some mutations are more serious than others.
Most vaccines that is now being developed focuses on the so-called spike protein of the virus, which the virus uses to bind itself to our cells. If this part of the virus changes, the vaccine may lose its effect. The reason researchers have been concerned about the mutations found among Danish minks is that they have affected the beak protein.
Monitoring for new mutations is important and it may also mean that vaccines being developed now may need an update in the future.
How important is comprehensive testing?
Early this spring asked WHO for comprehensive tests. For many countries, including Sweden, however, it took several months before there was capacity for comprehensive testing. The test has been gradually expanded, and in week 46, 260,673 PCR tests were performed, that is, tests that can show active infection, of which 12.9 percent were positive.
Although both the Swedish Public Health Agency and the WHO emphasize testing as an important tool to prevent the continued spread of infection, mass testing has also been criticized. The criticism is, among other things, that tests lead to displacement effects and tests for other diseases have lower priority.
