Answer — There are several reasons for optimism that the current COVID-19 vaccines likely provide good if not excellent protection against most emerging variant strains. First, immune responses to COVID-19 vaccines tend to cross-protect against many forms of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and even other coronaviruses. Second, spike protein variants of concern thus far have few mutations within their T cell antigens (epitopes); and even fewer mutations are seen in other key antigens (e.g., such as the N, M or E proteins); Third, COVID-19 vaccines induce many different types of antibodies, some of which are highly likely to protect against the variants; Fourth, the immune system learns over time and may keep pace with any viral mutations. For example, in a process known as affinity maturation, B cells & antibodies become better at protecting against antigens such as viral proteins over time. If so, vaccines may give the immune system a head start in the race against COVID-19. Collectively, based on early data to date, even if somewhat reduced, the COVID-19 vaccines are likely to confer significant protection against SARS-CoV-2 virus variants—yet another reason to be vaccinated as soon as possible.