The fast-spreading UK variant of the coronavirus appears to be mutating in a worrisome way, reports the BBC. Researchers with Public Health England have found a relative handful of samples—11 out of 214,000—with a mutation known as E484K. As the New York Times reports, this particular mutation may help the virus evade antibodies and thus become harder to control with vaccines. At the same time, however, vaccine makers are adapting as the mutations arise. The original strain of the UK variant (B117) didn't have the E484K mutation, which also has turned up in the South African and Brazil variants. An expert who advises the British government called E484K "the mutation of most concern," per CNBC. More:
- Not unexpected: The BBC notes that while vaccines may be less effective against a virus with this mutation, they still provide some measure of protection. And even if they don't prevent all cases, they could reduce the number of severe cases. The mutation is "a worrying development, though not entirely unexpected," says a virus expert at the University of Leicester.
- More context: The development is still too new to properly evaluate, a biologist tells the Times. Eleven samples isn't a lot, and the mutation may yet lose out to B117 versions without the mutation. "I think it's potentially concerning, but hard to tell from the report what it means," he says. A virologist asked to assess the risks from all of the above adds, "We'll have to wait for data."
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