Abstract:
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) will continue to replicate in
humans, mutations will continue to occur, and variants of concern will continue to emerge. The
emergence of variant strains is arguably the greatest threat to the control of the coronavirus
disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. A well-coordinated global strategy in prevention and control
is needed. Global investments in vaccine science and technology must be accompanied by
investments in public health, genomic and disease surveillance, and programmatic immunisation
infrastructure to mitigate the devastating effects of COVID-19 and future pandemics.
