Quote:
Originally Posted by MartinSE
The evolution of viruses where there is a vaccine favors mutations that result in the virus becoming more contagious. If the virus kills too quickly, it will kill the host before it spreads enough to ramp up.
So, the evolutionary step most likely to survive is one that is more contagious and less deadly, allowing it to spread further and faster.
The danger is that since it is spreading rapidly, with a lot of hosts to mutate in, there is an opportunity to mutate into one that I’ve very contagious and that can completely. Bypass the vaccine. If that happens we are back to day one.
So far it hasn’t happened, but with so many unvaccinated hosts, it is still a strong possibility.
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We wouldn't be back to "day one" with a virus that is less virulent than the original strain. More contagious, yes, but not as deadly.