Following the detection of a modern coronavirus variant, several countries worldwide have locked their doors on the UK. The version seems to have circulated quickly across London and the south-east of England, identified as "B.1.1.7."
While it seems to be more infectious than other established forms of the virus, scientists may not assume that more severe infections are likely to be induced. But can the three major vaccines also offer protection from it?
Thankfully, experts claim that vaccines are more likely to work on this latest variant. This is because there has not been any improvement in the portion of the virus attacked by the Pfizer/BioNtech, Moderna, and Oxford/AstraZeneca shots.
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - MARCH 09: Medical staff, wearing protective gear, move a patient infected with the coronavirus (COVID-19) from an ambulance to a hospital on March 09, 2020 in Seoul, South Korea.
New COVID-19 Mutant Strain
The mutated virus is called Variant Under Review, year 2020, month 12, variant 01 (VUI 202012/01).
The mutated strain is more infectious and easily distributed throughout the UK, according to reports. It has caused the immediate lockdown of areas of the world, making many other nations worried that travel bans have been placed to and from the UK.
In this specific strain, experts have reported 23 modifications in the novel coronavirus, with 17 of those considered fundamentally vital as they can alter the actions of the virus.
Eight of these modifications are linked to the protein spike of COVID-19, the component of the virus that hijacks the host's healthy cells.
Can Vaccinations Work on New COVID-19 Strain?
The leading COVID-19 vaccinations, including Pfizer and BioNTech, Moderna, and AstraZeneca's vaccines, both target the protein spike of the virus, but UK and US experts are telling the public that even with the latest mutant form, the dosages will still function.
During a press conference on Monday, December 21, Dr Adam Finn of Imperial College London's pediatrics professor said there is no clear reason to conclude that immunization of the latest vaccinations would be less successful against the numerous circulating versions, like VUI 202012/01.
In addition, according to Dr. Finn, scientists are focusing on attempting to explain the mutants further.
The scientists are employed at top-secret UK labs, such as Porton Down, to study deadly diseases and chemical devices, according to the professor, and that the findings will arrive in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, senior consultant at the University of Exeter in Communicable Disease Prevention Dr Baharat Pankhania said that virus types are widespread and some of them "will be in our favor, some won't."
Furthermore, they assume the current strains do not impact the magnitude of COVID-19.
Don't Panic
The World Health Organisation (WHO) claimed that experts discovered the new coronavirus strain in southeastern England as early as September and that it was found as far away as Australia.
However, some scientists suggest that there is inadequate empirical proof that the new mutation of COVID-19 is the cause of the rapid spread of the disease in south-eastern England, especially when more people are coming out more often and there is more human activity relative to the early days of the pandemic.
As of now, amid the reports of the mutant COVID-19 virus, scientists are urging individuals not to worry.
The general population hopes to have the COVID-19 vaccination vaccines in the next few months, with officials and analysts urging everybody to have the shot if it becomes available.
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