Viruses, variants and vaccines

S Afr Med J. 2021 Mar 1;111(5):409-411. doi: 10.7196/SAMJ.2021.v111i5.15578.

Abstract

The current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has brought a number of major global clinical, sociological and economic issues into sharp focus. We address some of these issues, focusing on short-term factors such as virus mutations and vaccine efficacy, and also considering the longer-term implications of the current pandemic. We discuss societal responses to the presence of a pathogen that will probably remain in circulation for decades or longer, and to future new emergent viruses.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 Vaccines*
  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • COVID-19* / genetics
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Mutation
  • Pandemics / prevention & control
  • SARS-CoV-2 / genetics*
  • SARS-CoV-2 / isolation & purification
  • South Africa
  • Vaccine Efficacy
  • Vaccines*
  • Viruses* / pathogenicity

Substances

  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • Vaccines