COVID vaccines likely effective against new variants, say health experts As new variants of coronavirus prompt new public health measures, two German public health experts have told DW that vaccinations should still be effective — if they can be administered in time. Public health officials are hopeful a ramped-up vaccinations will combat fast-spreading COVID At least three coronavirus variants circulating around the world right now are being blamed for fueling a global surge in COVID cases. The latest variant was linked to Brazil after Japan's health ministry this week said it had detected a new variant in four travelers coming from Brazil's Amazonas state.