Up To Date

Your Questions About The Coronavirus Vaccine Answered

By Steve Kraske,

Published January 4, 2021 at 4:23 PM CST

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Close-up photo of a nurse's gloved hands administering a vaccine shot. — A new mutation of the coronavirus in the United Kingdom has people concerned about the efficacy of the coronavirus vaccine, but experts say that variant strains in these situations are normal.

Missouri just topped 400,000 coronavirus cases and a new strain of the coronavirus is being reported in the United Kingdom, but experts remain optimistic about vaccines.

The mutations in the coronavirus were to be expected and, from their perspective, the rollout is on track. The necessary minimum goal they advise is 60% herd immunity.

Dr. Mary Anne Jackson, professor and dean of the UMKC School of Medicine
Gene Olinger, science adviser for MRI Global

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Up To Date Talk Show Podcast vaccines Coronavirus virus UMKC Kansas City Missouri (KCMO)public health

Steve Kraske

When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.

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Chris Young

Chris Young is an Assistant Producer for KCUR’s Up To Date. Contact him at chrisy@kcur.org.

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Mackenzie Martin

Whether it’s something happening right now or something that happened 100 years ago, some stories don’t fit in the short few minutes of a newscast. As a podcast producer and reporter at KCUR Studios, I help investigate questions and local curiosities in a way that brings listeners along for adventures with plot twists and thought-provoking ideas. Sometimes there isn’t an easy answer in the end – but my hope is that we all leave with a greater understanding of the city we live in. Reach me at mackenzie@kcur.org.

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