A Race Between SARS-CoV-2 Variants and Vaccination: the Case of the B.1.1.7 Variant in France

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has entered an uncertain race between the emergence of variants that are more transmissible and vaccine roll-out. Here, we developed a mathematical model to evaluate how the interplay of variants, vaccines and non-pharmaceutical interventions might shape the pandemic dynamics, using the rise of the B.1.1.7 variant in metropolitan France as a case study. Our analysis highlights the challenges ahead for the management of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and shows how the quick roll-out of vaccines to at-risk individuals and non-pharmaceutical interventions are needed to mitigate the impact of the emerging variants.