From a virological standpoint, appearance of new variants by mutation during replication cannot be considered surprising. Whether this change will provide significant growth advantages for the novel virus causing it to predominate remains to be seen.
Dr Julian Tang, honorary associate professor at the University of Leicester, described the finding as a worrying development, though not entirely unexpected .
He said it is important that people follow lockdown rules and get new cases of coronavirus down to prevent opportunities for the virus to mutate further.
He added that allowing spread could provide a melting pot for different emerging variants.
Prof Hunter said: “It was bound to happen but as long as we manage to roll-out the vaccine effectively to all vulnerable people, it shouldn’t have too much of an impact going forward.”
Another 14 vaccination sites are going live across Suffolk and north-east Essex from today
- Credit: Charlotte Bond
The next wave of Covid jab sites go live today, with sources indicating the area s health service is confident of meeting the prime minister s target of vaccinating the top four priority groups by mid-February.
After the first sites went live in December, 14 more will open in Suffolk and north Essex from Monday ready for the next stage of the roll-out.
However, it is expected that appointments will not begin until mid-week onwards, as supplies arrive at each location.
A patient being vaccinated at the Two Rivers Medical Centre in Ipswich
Another 14 vaccination sites are going live across Suffolk and north-east Essex from today
- Credit: Charlotte Bond
The next wave of Covid jab sites go live today, with sources indicating the area s health service is confident of meeting the prime minister s target of vaccinating the top four priority groups by mid-February.
After the first sites went live in December, 14 more will open in Suffolk and north Essex from Monday ready for the next stage of the roll-out.
However, it is expected that appointments will not begin until mid-week onwards, as supplies arrive at each location.
A patient being vaccinated at the Two Rivers Medical Centre in Ipswich