New mutation of Delta variant being monitored in Britain

Dubbed AY.4.2, it is not likely to change Covid-19 situation there: Vaccine chief

LONDON/JERUSALEM • A subvariant of the Delta coronavirus variant that is spreading in England is being monitored but is not likely to change the Covid-19 picture, Oxford Vaccine Group chief Andrew Pollard said yesterday.

The subvariant, designated as AY.4.2 in Britain, is growing and accounted for about 6 per cent of all sequences generated, Britain’s Health Security Agency said last week, but it has not been labelled as under investigation or a variant of concern.

“Discovery of new variants is, of course, important to monitor, but it doesn’t indicate that the new variant is going to be the next one to replace Delta,” Professor Pollard told BBC radio.

“Indeed, even if it does, Delta is incredibly good at transmitting in a vaccinated population and a new one may be a bit better but it’s unlikely to change the picture dramatically from where we are today.”

Prof Pollard said the risk is mainly in the unvaccinated.