A global coronavirus rollout is viewed by many as the solution to the pandemic and as a strategy which is becoming increasingly important as new and more infectious strains emerge.

However, an unfolding COVID-19 outbreak in Brazil has cast doubt on the protection herd immunity from the vaccine will provide.

Last April the city of Manaus experienced a devastating outbreak where scientists estimate two-thirds of the community were infected, enough to trigger lasting herd immunity.

However, eight months on from the initial outbreak hospitals in the city are full and coronavirus fatalities are rising.

Scientists have suggested immunity could decrease over time, but a more probable answer is that the population were not immune to Brazil’s own mutant strain of the virus which developed since the first wave.

Early studies suggest Brazil's variant is not just more contagious, it can overcome antibodies from the original COVID strain.

This has put additional pressure on a fast, widespread vaccine rollout to eliminate any strain of the coronavirus.

What this means for the Australian context is, even if the public are vaccinated against one strain, unless the coronavirus is reigned in overseas a new strain could develop and borders will have to remain shut and hotel quarantine in place.

Eliminating the virus in one country won't be much use unless other nations can bring down their own caseloads.

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