By SONY SALZMAN, ABC News
(NEW YORK) — Since the emergence of several new COVID-19 variants across the globe, scientists have been racing to understand their impact on vaccines.
Early laboratory experiments showed worrying signs that one variant — the one that originated in South Africa — could become a big problem. And now, two large experiments in thousands of people have confirmed that our current approach to vaccines is unlikely to be as effective against this particular variant.
But it’s not all bad news, scientists say. Up against the South African variant, also known as B1.351, an excellent vaccine boasting more than 90% efficacy against disease is still a very good vaccine that can save your life.