Early stage clinical trial data from coronavirus vaccine manufacturer’s Johnson & Johnson and Novavax released late last week showed a decreased efficacy against the emerging South African variant of the virus.
The trials showed the vaccines provided between 49 and 57 per cent protection against the strain.
Australia will begin distributing vaccines at the end of this month from Pfizer, who is still awaiting fresh data on its ability to combat this new variant of COVID-19.
As the virus continues to mutate and new strains are being discovered, experts say scientists will need to chase the virus by changing the vaccine.
