Covid-19: South African variant not expected to beat vaccine, says professor

Scientists at Porton Down are researching whether vaccines will be effective against the variant from South Africa, and the new variant spreading across the UK.

South African coronavirus variant not anticipated to beat virus – expert Picture: Ben Birchall/PA

The new South African coronavirus variant is not anticipated to bypass the protection of current vaccines, an expert has said.

Scientists say not enough is known about the mutation to make assumptions, and the changes to the virus are consistent with it being more transmissible.