UK Alpha variant is designated

On December 18, 2020 the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 lineage (Alpha) is designated a new variant in the UK, and has been increasing in proportion of cases in parts of England since September 20, 2020, and is growing in prevelance.

“B.1.1.7 has an unusually large number of genetic changes, particularly in the spike protein. Three of these mutations have potential biological effects…As of 15th December, there are 1623 genomes in the B.1.1.7 lineage.”

Mutations in spike position 501 can increase ACE2 receptor affinity thus could increase infectivity and virulance, and position P681H associated with the S1/S2 furin cleavage site of SARS-CoV-2, which is not found in closely related coronaviruses and has been shown to promote entry into respiratory epithelial cells and transmission in animal model – REF

Just as the vaccine rolls out in the UK, the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein mutates away from the Wuhan genomic sequence; that which the genetic vaccines code for.