According to a new analysis by Public Health England, a variant of the coronavirus found in the UK has obtained a mutation that could make it more resistant to vaccines.
The variant, known as B.1.1.7, was first discovered in December and quickly spread throughout the UK. It has since appeared in 72 countries. It is much more transmissible than other strains, and there is some evidence that it could cause more deaths.
In the United States, the variant has been discovered in 32 states, although experts believe it will likely be much more widespread and could become the dominant strain in March.
According to the analysis, the estimated rates of cases with the mutation are between 25 and 40 percent higher than the estimated attack rates for other strains.
Another mutation, known as E484K, is related to strains from Brazil and South Africa that have been shown to be more resistant to existing vaccines.
Existing Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are effective against strain B.1.1.7, but the variant found in South Africa is more problematic. Test data from Johnson & Johnson and Novavax show that their vaccines against COVID-19 are not as effective against it.
So far this South African variant known as B.1.351 has been reported in 31 countries and at least two states.
According to Public Health England, a preliminary investigation has found that the E484K mutation appeared more than once among variants B.1.1.7.
If this is the case, 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 other more potentially dangerous mutations and variants is to get people vaccinated as quickly as possible, because more immune people are less likely to spread and evolve the virus.
Vaccines can be upgraded to specifically address this mutation, and mRNA vaccines, which include Pfizer and Moderna products, are especially suitable for upgrading them.