Covid variant has high number of mutations but there is ‘no evidence’ it is more severe
Sage has said the variant may mean the vaccines need ‘tweaking’
The new coronavirus variant has an unusually high number of mutations, scientists have said, but may turn out to be less dangerous.
Researchers from Cog-UK – a network of scientists monitoring genetic changes to the virus – said that they had found 17 mutations, many of which were alterations to the spike protein, which the virus uses to latch on to human cells.
Changes to the spike protein are worrying because most vaccines encourage the immune system to spot the spike protein, so if the shape alters it becomes less visible. It also may stop people being immune if they have already had the disease before.
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Cedar Rapids resident Markia Pryor said when she was pregnant with her daughter, Madison, now 3, she frequently felt ignored and dismissed by doctors, unlike her white best friend. For her second pregnancy, a boy due in April, Pryor s working exclusively with a Black midwife and Black doula.
Black women in Iowa are six times more likely to die during or shortly after childbirth than white women, and the reasons why are complicated. But this well-documented disparity also shows the role systemic racism plays in our entire health care system.
Selchia Cain has the kind of job where she sleeps with her phone ringer on loud.
Experts call to include prisons in COVID-19 vaccine plans thelancet.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thelancet.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.