COVID-19 was expected to mutate slowly, but a year into the pandemic, we've lost track of how many new variants there are.

Scientists are still working out whether the vaccines that we're only just rolling out now will be an effective shield against them.

Today on The Signal, we're taking stock of how COVID-19 is changing, and what weapons we have against the newest versions of it.

So is the virus outpacing vaccine technology, and if it is, then how will Australia ever open up its borders?

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Dr Norman Swan, ABC Health Report & Coronavirus podcast