Covid-19 news: Oxford vaccine appears effective against UK variant | NewScientist - Feb. 5, 2021 |

Vaccine researchers are investigating ways to modify existing covid-19 vaccines rapidly to ensure continued protection against other new variants as well. "We are working with AstraZeneca to optimise the pipeline required for a strain change should one become necessary," said Sarah Gilbert at the University of Oxford in a statement.

"This is the same issue that is faced by all of the vaccine developers, and we will continue to monitor the emergence of new variants that arise in readiness for a future strain change," she said. "All viruses accumulate mutations over time, and for influenza vaccines there is a well-known process of global viral surveillance, and selection of strains for an annual update of the vaccines."

Covid-19: Moderna plans booster doses to counter variants

Oxford AstraZeneca just recently had announced a third or "booster" jab to be effective against South Africa variant.