Mutation adds urgency to vaccine push

Here's the latest news from the global pandemic. Moderna Covid-19 vaccine wins EU backing Germany seeks patience with vaccine delays Overrun U.K. hospitals show runaway infections New strain adds urgency to vaccine push The best chance the world has at controlling Covid-19 comes from creating immunity to the pathogen that emerged just over a year ago. So far, only a tiny proportion of the global population has garnered protection, mainly from acquiring – and surviving – the infection. That will change this year. A handful of vaccines are rolling out in select countries, including novel approaches like the mRNA immunizations from the Pfizer-BioNTech partnership and Moderna, a viral vector shot from AstraZeneca  and Oxford University, and others from China and Russia. There are more than 230 in development, including 60 in human testing. Results from a trial of a one-dose vaccine from Johnson & Johnson are expected within weeks. A medical worker administers an injection to a volunteer during a phase 3 trial of the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine in Barcelona. Results are expected within weeks. Photographer: Angel Garcia/Bloomberg But don't expect the virus to back off. A variant of the original coronavirus emerged in England in September and quickly became dominant, spreading ever faster among the population even during a stringent shutdown. That strain has now traveled to other countries, potentially helping fuel the pace of the outbreak, just as vaccines are reaching the market. The new and faster-spreading mutation is adding urgency to the vaccine push, setting 2021 up to be a critical year. "This variant has made the whole challenge more formidable," says Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in La Jolla, California. "It's going to be taken to a new level." The development of the variant in the U.K. and others in South Africa and elsewhere come as the world is experiencing a resurgence in infections. Hospitals are nearing or hitting their breaking points just as people are growing more weary of masks, social distancing and isolation. The good news is the vaccines do still seem effective. The virus is already showing that it's not going to slow down. The majority of people the world over are likely going to gain immunity to the infection at some point, either from the disease or the vaccine. Human behavior will determine which path.—Michelle Fay Cortez Track the vaccine More Than 15 Million Shots Given We're tracking the biggest vaccine rollout in history. Get the latest here.   What you should read FDA Resists Pressure to Tweak Vaccine Dosages Some are arguing for a change to extend supplies. Pricing Delay Holds Back India's Vaccine Rollout About 70 million Astra shots are ready for deployment across India. World Economy Faces Debt Doom Loop The Covid-19 crisis has exacerbated inequality. N.Y. Seeking More Vaccine Supply Cuomo says U.K. variant of virus could be a 'game-changer.' Europe Is Botching the Vaccine Rollout Opinion | Europe hasn't exactly covered itself in glory. Know someone else who would like this newsletter? Have them sign up here. Have any questions, concerns, or news tips on Covid-19 news? Get in touch or help us cover the story. Like this newsletter? Subscribe for unlimited access to trusted, data-based journalism in 120 countries around the world and gain expert analysis from exclusive daily newsletters, The Bloomberg Open and The Bloomberg Close. Follow Us Get the newsletter You received this message because you are subscribed to Bloomberg's Coronavirus Daily newsletter. Unsubscribe | Bloomberg.com | Contact Us Bloomberg L.P. 731 Lexington, New York, NY, 10022