Mutations in virus and cell genomes (substitutions, additions or deletions in the cellular DNA and viral DNA or RNA sequences) occur continually. Viruses in general mutate faster than host genomes, and RNA viruses generally mutate faster than DNA viruses. This is largely because RNA virus replication machinery generally does not have an error correction ability, as all other cells and most DNA viruses do. The SARS-CoV-2 variants found in the UK, South Africa and Brazil – more properly referred to as the B.1.1.7, B.1.135 and P.1 variants – are examples. This means that SARS-CoV-2 vaccines may have to be changed regularly, just as flu vaccines are.

Source: News 24 February 23, 2021 02:48 UTC