Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Variant B.1.1.7 (USA/CA_CDC_5574/2020)

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is spreading globally, threatening human health. In countries where vaccination is widespread, cases and deaths are declining, raising hopes for virus control. Meanwhile, diverse lineages have emerged during viral evolution. Mutations in the receptor-binding domain of the spike protein, in particular, may indicate changes in viral properties. These lineages have been designated as variants of concern (VOC) or variants of interest (VOI).

On May 31, 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) proposed a new nomenclature, naming four volatile organic compounds (VOCs) Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), Gamma (P.1), and Delta (B.1.617.2), and seven volatile organic compounds (VOIs) Epsilon (B.1.427/B.1.429), Zeta (P.2), Eta (B.1.525), Theta (B.1.525), Lota (B.1.526), ​​Kappa (B.1.617.1), and Lambda (C.37). The U.S. Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Public Health England (PHE), and the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) of Japan also have their own nomenclature for VOCs and VOIs. The spike proteins of these lineages possess signature mutations, which are believed to affect infectivity, immunity, and disease severity.