Tweaking Vaccines for Variants

Some of the many variants of the Sars-CoV-2 virus (some estimate there have been more the 4000 mutations and counting) will be of concern because they are a) more infective and b) resistant to existing vaccines (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/feb/08/how-can-covid-vaccines-be-tweaked-to-tackle-new-variants). The strategy for dealing with variants of this virus firstly involves determining which are likely to be of concern. This firstly requires International vigilence and rapid exchange of information (also the ability to sequence viral samples). Secondly, tests would be required to see whether the current vaccines are effective against the new, candidate variants. If the variant is not responsive to the vaccine, modifications (tweaks) would be needed. These can be done quickly in the case of the mRNA vaccines (e.g. BioNTech predict they could develop a new vaccine within 6 weeks). More traditional vaccines (like that of Oxford/AstraZeneca), would take much longer to formulate and then produce (at least half a year before it became available for injection). In terms of trials and approvals, any tweaked vaccines are likely to be treated in the same way as their annual seasonal 'flu counterparts. They would not have to undergo full complex trials (like the ones required for their initial approval). Small studies to confirm they are effective, might well be sufficient. The approval processes (carried out by different bodies in different countries) are also likely to be more speedy than those seen for the initial versions of the vaccines. The whole modification of vaccines process will have to be speedy and efficient, if we are to stay ahead of our shape-changing foe.