Growing Concerns In The Health Community That South Africa's Covid-19 Variant Is Resistant To The Current Vaccines

This map shows how the coronavirus variants have been tracked as they spread around the world

Reuters: UK scientists worry vaccines may not protect against S.African coronavirus variant

LONDON (Reuters) - UK scientists expressed concern on Monday that COVID-19 vaccines being rolled out in Britain may not be able to protect against a new variant of the coronavirus that emerged in South Africa and has spread internationally.

Both Britain and South Africa have detected new, more transmissible variants of the COVID-19-causing virus in recent weeks that have driven a surge in cases.

British Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Monday he was now very worried about the variant identified in South Africa.

Simon Clarke, an associate professor in cellular microbiology at the University of Reading, said that while both variants had some new features in common, the one found in South Africa “has a number additional mutations ... which are concerning”.

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WNU Editor: We are all worried .... Matt Hancock says he is 'incredibly worried' about super-infectious South African coronavirus mutation 'which could beat vaccines' (Daily Mail).

More News On Growing Concerns That South Africa's Covid-19 Variant Is Resistant To The Current Vaccines

South Africa testing whether vaccines work against variant -- AP

South African variant may evade vaccines and testing, warn scientists -- The Telegraph

South Africa testing whether vaccines work against variant -- The Independent/AP

Covid variant in South Africa is ‘more of a problem’ than the one in UK, official says -- CNBC

South African coronavirus mutation may BEAT current vaccines, expert on team behind the Oxford jab warns - but insists: 'Stay calm, everything is going to be fine' -- Daily Mail

Scientists appeal for calm over new Covid variant in South Africa -- The Guardian

Fears Covid vaccines ‘may be ineffective against South African mutation’ -- RT

South African coronavirus variant 'very significant problem,' UK health secretary says -- FOX News

South Africa coronavirus variant: What is the risk? -- Michelle Roberts, BBC