Why Mutants Are The X Factor In Vax Drive

In India’s first Covid wave last year, virus mutations did not play a big role, but the second wave in India and abroad is being shaped by new and emerging “variants of concern” (VoC). In its new forms, the virus can spread faster, be more lethal or render vaccines less effective. A look at the variants reported in India and their impact on vaccination

India’s ‘double-mutant’

Coronaviruses mutate constantly, and Indian scientists have reported an uncommon ‘double mutant’ that combines mutations from two separate virus variants.

Although it has been found in samples from Maharashtra, Punjab and Delhi — states that are seeing a surge in cases — the double mutant is not widespread enough to account for the massive increase in Covid cases, according to the ministry of health.

The first of its mutations is known as E484Q, and is similar to the E484K mutation found in VoCs from the UK, Brazil and South Africa. This mutation affects changes in the coronavirus’s spike protein, which helps it latch onto and infect human cells.

The second mutation, L452R, has also been found in variants in Denmark and California. It enhances the virus’s ability to bind to human cells, making it more infectious.

WHAT IT MEANS FOR VACCINES: Scientists are evaluating the double mutant’s impact on vaccine efficacy as both its mutations have been found – in specific cases – to make them less effective. At least with the South African variant, vaccines were found to considerably lower the chance of severe illness or death.

UK variant B.1.1.7