It has appeared separately in cases of both the Kent variant and on the original version of the virus. The E484K mutation – also found in the South African and Brazilian variants – appears to boost the virus's ability to avoid the immune system, raising the risk of reinfections or the current crop of vaccines being less effective. The mutation has also been found in Preston and West Lancashire, according to health officials, and people living in those areas are being urged to take a Covid-19 test if they are feeling unwell – with symptoms including a cold, mild flu and headaches. Public Health England has identified cases of the original virus strain with the mutation, scientifically known as E484K, in the Liverpool City Region and Warrington. However, top experts today dismissed the 4,000 claim and suggested Mr Zahawi was confused between 'variants' and individual mutations.
In a bid to overcome the threat of variants, jab manufacturers say they are already working on updating their vaccines because they need to be extremely specific in order to offer the best form of protection. But top Government advisers insist the current crop of Covid jabs should still work and won't be rendered completely useless. The South African and Brazilian variants both carry a mutation called E484K, which changes the spike protein on the virus in a way that makes vaccines less effective. The main worrying variants at the moment are B.1.1.7, found in England B.1.351, which emerged in South Africa and P.1, from Brazil. Scientists fear the SARS-CoV-2 virus - which is constantly evolving - could learn to evade vaccine-triggered immunity. Nadhim Zahawi said that the UK is keeping a 'library' of the mutations so it is better prepared to ensure jabs can be updated as needed in the future.
Around 4,000 Covid variants exist around the world, the UK's vaccine minister said today.
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