"The new variant is said to be up to 70% more transmissible, but there is no evidence that it is more deadly.

There is also no proof to suggest that it reacts differently to vaccines."

I wonder if there is any proof to suggest it doesn't react differently? Or is it they just don't know at this stage?

Have read elsewhere that the new variant is less deadly, meaning it's possible it could offer a way out. Wouldn't a more contagious strain that is significantly less deadly perform a similar function to a vaccine?

A new variant could potentially go two dramatically different ways.

1. It makes all vaccines redundant and we're back at square one

2. It de-lethalizes the virus and solves the whole problem

You'd have to wonder with option 2 whether drug companies would ever allow that situation