New coronavirus variant(B.1.243.1) with E484K mutation detected in Arizona

April 5, 2021

Arizona State University researchers have found a home-grown variant of the coronavirus emerging in Arizona that they say should be monitored closely because it carries a mutation known for weakening vaccines.

This E484K mutation has also been seen in the variants first detected in South Africa and Brazil, as well as one new variant recently discovered in New York(B.1.1.220).

E484K is called an escape mutation because it helps the virus slip past the body’s immune defences

Two variants from California were elevated from variant of interest to variant of concern this month and have rapidly spread in Arizona.

Vaccines can easily be updated to protect against new variants. Pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer and Moderna are already working on developing updated booster shots

https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-science/2021/04/01/arizona-covid-19-variant-detected-arizona-state-university-researchers-could-weaken-vaccines/4810389001/