Variants

B.1.1.7, B.1.351, CAL.20C, and more...

All viruses change or mutate.

Every time a virus copies itself (to make more virus) it makes mistakes (similar to typos we make while writing). The SARS-CoV-2 virus has been mutating since it first began spreading in 2019. A few of these mutations have changed the virus enough that they are altering the course of the pandemic - in terms of prevention, treatment, and vaccines - and we call these mutants VARIANTS.

Here is what you need to know —

1. (As of today) our vaccines are working against all of the variants.
   Vaccines are effective & safe.

2. The variants are here (in PA and our neighboring states)

3. We need to double-down on strategies to decrease disease spread: masking (double-up), physical distance, and hand washing.

4. The virus is racing ahead, mutating as it goes. Researchers are trying to catch up. As we learn more — policies, recommendations, and guidance will change.

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Need to know more about the variants?¹ Keep reading…

—> B.1.1.7 — first detected in the UK

In the past month, we have learned that this variant has increased transmissibility, meaning it spreads easily from person-to-person. Data shows that individuals infected with this variant have higher viral loads, which likely explains how easily this variant spreads. Early reports are showing that this form of the variant is more lethal, meaning it increases the likelihood of hospitalization and death from COVID-19 among people who are infected.

Good news related to B.1.1.7 — there is evidence showing that both the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines are effective at preventing COVID-19 infection caused by the variant.

Bad news related to B.1.1.7 — it is mutating again. The new mutation - called E484K -is the same mutation in the South African and Brazilian variants (keep reading to learn more).

—> B.1.351 — first detected in South Africa

B.1.351, commonly known as the South African variant, has the E484K mutation. This mutation is a spike protein mutation that might result in the hindering of antibody binding. What does this mean? In a laboratory experiment (using blood from individuals who participated in phase 1 vaccine trials), a reduction in antibodies (read: immunity) was found. But we do NOT know what will happen outside of the lab - in populations of people - nor do we know the effect this mutation will have on the efficacy of the vaccine. Pfizer and Moderna are thinking about updating their vaccine or adding a booster dose.

The challenge right now is that we do not know the level of antibodies that are needed to protect an individual from the virus. While researchers are reporting a two-thirds reduction in antibodies from the mRNA vaccines, we do not know whether this will make the vaccines ineffective against the B.1.351 variant. More research is needed.

We know this variant also has increased transmissibility.

Not a lot of good news associated with this variant. Lots of additional research is needed.

Bad news related to B.1.351 — treating hospitalized individuals with monoclonal antibodies is not effective against this variant. New forms of treatment will be needed as the prevalence of this variant increases.

—> CAL.20C — first detected in California

The California variant is also highly transmissible and is likely the cause of the surge of cases on the West Coast over the holiday.

1. Variant or strain? These words are often used interchangeably; however, in the world of virology, they have different definitions. A strain is a variant of a virus that is recognizable because it possesses some “unique phenotypic characteristic.” Meaning the biological properties are different from the original/reference virus. A variant or mutant differs slightly from the original/reference virus. It may have slight differences in its genome, symptoms, or mode of transmission, but those differences do not constitute a “unique phenotypic characteristic.”