This has all the hallmarks of a really nasty variant.

Never before have we seen so many mutations all arising at the same time.

At least 30 are in the spike protein, the part of the virus targeted by the vaccine.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

That doesn’t necessarily mean that the jab would be completely ineffective against B.1.1.529 – it’s the impact the individual mutations have on the shape of the spike protein that matters, not the total number.

But the fear is that the protein would have shape-shifted and that could reduce the effectiveness of the vaccine.

It’s not clear by how much, though one senior expert at the UK Health Security Agency said it was the worst variant seen so far.

Most of the confirmed cases have been in the Gauteng province of South Africa, a country with good genetic surveillance for new variants.

COVID-19: What we know so far about B.1.1.529 variant that may make vaccines ‘less effective’

New COVID variant: UK urgently brings in travel restrictions to stop spread of ‘the worst one we’ve seen so far’

COVID-19: Total number of cases in UK passes 10 million since start of pandemic

But there are indications that it has spread much further in southern Africa and the UK government is putting several countries in the region on the travel red list.

It’s clearly a worrying development.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

But it’s not just a variant’s ability to evade the vaccine that matters. It’s also how good it is at causing infections.

Earlier this year, there was a lot of concern about the Beta variant.

It significantly reduced the effectiveness of the vaccine, but it turned out that it wasn’t as infectious as the Delta variant – which went on to dominate worldwide.

But until we know more about B.1.1.529 it would be wise to take every possible precaution.

Related posts:

COVID vaccines have prevented 10,400 deaths in older adults, Public Health England says PM praises Prince Philip’s ‘steadfast support’ for Queen as tributes paid to duke ‘He was our everything’: Family pays tribute to boy, 9, killed after being ‘struck by lightning’ Scotland beaten in first appearance at a major tournament in 23 years Mexico crocodile attack twin describes how she punched animal as it death rolled her sister UK daily COVID cases exceed 40,000 – highest since mid-January Children as young as 13 are being recruited by far-right extremists, says MI5 director-general Police forces to review allegations involving serving officers following Sarah Everard murder Businessman who organised fatal flight for footballer Emiliano Sala jailed for 18 months Officer investigating serial killer’s final victim was not told others had died in similar circumstances, inquest told Man charged with murdering woman in Somerset Care leavers in Wales to be offered £1,600 a month under basic income pilot scheme