The coronavirus mutates more slowly than the flu — which means a vaccine will likely be effective long-term

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• Scientists around the world are racing to develop a vaccine for the new coronavirus, which has infected more than 467,000 people.
• All viruses, including this one, mutate over time. As they replicate, minute errors are introduced into their genetic codes. 
• For some viruses, like the flu, these errors collect more quickly over time and can change how the virus behaves — necessitating a new vaccine every year.
• The new coronavirus, however, seems to mutate slowly, experts say. This means its vaccine would likely be effective long-term, much like a measles vaccine.
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A glimmer of hope on the coronavirus front: Experts who have been tracking the virus' spread have concluded that it mutates at a slower rate than other respiratory viruses like the flu.

This slow mutation rate has two implications — both positive. It means the virus (whose official name is SARS-CoV-2) is stable in its current form, and therefore unlikely to get even more dangerous as it continues to spread. That also means that a vaccine could be effective in the long-run; it'd act more like a measles or chickenpox vaccine than a seasonal flu shot. 

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See Also:

• One chart shows how quickly New York City became the epicenter of the US's coronavirus outbreak
• The WHO is urging everyone to guard the 'collective wisdom of our societies' and help old people during the coronavirus outbreak
• WHO: The world has a 'second window of opportunity' to stop the coronavirus, but 6 key actions are needed

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