Dr. Colm Henry:

Real-world experience in other countries, such as a report that came from Scotland, shows positive evidence. Scotland has a high level of the B117 mutation, which is also now the predominant mutation in this country. That report showed reduced hospitalisation with serious illness after the administration of the first doses of the Pfizer BioNTech and AstraZeneca vaccines, including among older cohorts. There is, of course, concern that immune evasion may happen if certain mutations get a stronger footing. The mutations that are shared among some of the variants may render the vaccine less effective. However, based on two of the vaccines that have been tested, namely, Johnson & Johnson and Novavax, we see reduced but still strong efficacy. The vaccines still have a particularly strong impact on reducing serious illness and hospitalisation. While there may be a reduced effect, it does not mean there is no effect and it seems so far that, even with mutations, the more serious manifestations of the illness are prevented.