Scientists appeal for calm over new Covid variant in South Africa

Questions raised over potential effect on vaccines as health secretary says he is incredibly worried'

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Scientists are appealing for calm following suggestions that Covid vaccines might not protect people against a new variant of the virus that has emerged in South Africa.

Experts say there is no need for panic, even though the health secretary, Matt Hancock, has said he is very concerned about the latest variant of Sars-Cov-2, which has emerged in South Africa and is said to be highly transmissible, as is the variant first seen in Kent.