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Review
. 2022 Aug;45(4):573-579.
doi: 10.1016/j.bj.2022.04.006. Epub 2022 May 6.

SARS-CoV-2 variants - Evolution, spike protein, and vaccines

Kai-Wei K Chen  1 , Daniel Tsung-Ning Huang  2 , Li-Min Huang  3
Affiliations
Review

SARS-CoV-2 variants - Evolution, spike protein, and vaccines

Kai-Wei K Chen et al. Biomed J. 2022 Aug.

Abstract

Despite the rising natural and vaccines mediated immunity, several countries have experienced a resurgence of the Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) due to the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants. From Alpha to Omicron, the variants of concern (VOC) have evolved several spike protein mutations that may have an impact on virus characteristics, such as transmissibility and antigenicity. In this review, we describe the evolution of SARS-CoV-2, summarize current knowledge of epidemiological and clinical features of the variants, and discuss the response strategies in terms of vaccines to reduce the burden of COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Spike mutations; Vaccines; Variant of concern.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest We have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

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