Science

especially when compared to the original, lethal SARS-CoV 2. Usually as a respiratory virus mutates, it moves higher up in the respiratory system and that generally means more people falling ill but fewer people needing hospitalization with it.

We won't know how much protection western vaccines offer until the virus variant spreads to the west. The Chinese vaccine has long been known to be far less effective, something they knew but tried to cover up with their "zero Covid" policy of putting 90% of the population on house arrest.

Many virologists expect this virus to continue to become more infectious and less virulent over time, joining the other 5 coronaviruses known to infect humans as common colds. Until then, there will likely be a need for periodic vaccine boosters, especially in vulnerable people.