Where there is a partially vaccinated population, yet still widespread infection, then there will be strong selection pressure for vaccine immune escape (and in

Where there is a partially vaccinated population, yet still widespread infection, then there will be strong selection pressure for vaccine immune escape (and indeed prior infection immune escape). It may not be this variant, but if such an escape variant emerged, it would quickly spread - assuming the mutations don't interfere too much with viability and transmission. Vaccines, with other measures as necessary, should be used to suppress a highly contagious virus to nearly zero (trigger warning!!) to prevent this from happening.