The two biggest developments since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic occurred within weeks of each other late last year. One was the arrival of effective vaccines. The other was the emergence of virus variants that threaten to defeat them. A global race is now under way between the two. Which comes out on top will determine when — or if — the virus can truly be tamed. And the race will not be properly won unless it is won all around the world.
This week brought good and bad news. In a symbolic milestone, the number of Covid-19 vaccinations carried out globally surpassed total confirmed cases to date. But in South Africa, preliminary lab results suggested a new variant there could infect some people who have already had the original virus or been vaccinated. In Brazil, a variant in Manaus also shows signs of being able to evade naturally acquired immunity. British scientists said the more infectious strain now sweeping the UK was evolving further mutations that would threaten existing vaccines’ effectiveness.
That makes keeping up anti-infection measures vital, even as immunisations gather pace. Yet, above all, the arrival of more dangerous variants powerfully reinforces the message that vaccination efforts need to advance simultaneously in all countries.