SARS-CoV-2 Variants and Vaccines

Viral variants of concern may emerge with dangerous resistance to the immunity generated by the current vaccines to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). Moreover, if some variants of concern have increased transmissibility or virulence, the importance of efficient public health measures and vaccination programs will increase. The global response must be both timely and science based. Emerging SARS-CoV-2 viral variants of concern may have the potential to escape vaccine-elicited immunity. Global strategies involving integration of clinical rollout with systematic investigation are presented.