Covid-19 mutations call for new vaccine design

An electron microscope image provided by the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases showing SARS-CoV-2 virus particles emerging from cells cultured in a lab. Those spikes are prone to mutation, which can cause problems with Covid-19 vaccines. — AP

By now, most would be familiar with the graphical representation of the Covid-19 virus: a spherical structure with many protruding spikes. The spikes enable the virus to attach to our cells and enter them, causing infection. As such, they have become a popular target for vaccine developers.

The problem is that these protruding structures are also relatively less stable – ie, they are susceptible to changes through genetic mutation. We are now seeing reports of new Covid-19 virus variants with notable spike mutations and there are concerns that our immune system will not recognise the virus if these spikes change significantly enough – which would render current versions of vaccines ineffective.