Nat Microbiol July 2021 PMID 34108654

SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Interest and Concern naming scheme conducive for global discourse.

Frank Konings, Mark D Perkins, Jens H Kuhn, Mark J Pallen, Erik J Alm, Brett N Archer, Amal Barakat, Trevor Bedford, Jinal N Bhiman, Leon Caly, Lisa L Carter, Anne Cullinane, Tulio de Oliveira, Julian Druce, Ihab El Masry

Mentions

58
Peak: 10 in Jun 2021
across 6 sources since Jun 2021

Extended reach

452,850
potential audience

Total likes

3,792

Video views

375,389

Mentions per month

Jun 2021 – Sep 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News27 articles
  • X / Twitter19 posts
  • Blogs5 articles
  • YouTube3 videos
  • Bluesky2 posts
  • Facebook2 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions highlight strong support for a global naming system, with posts praising its simplicity and usefulness, such as mentions of making variant tracking easier and clearer. The tone varies from enthusiastic to informative, emphasizing the system’s role in improving international discourse and public understanding of SARS-CoV-2 variants.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions support the importance of having a standardized naming scheme for variants, reflecting broad approval.

InterestHigh interest

Participants show high interest, particularly with references to the technical aspects and public health implications.

EngagementModerate engagement

While some posts discuss the methodology and relevance, many express appreciation or curiosity rather than deep analysis.

ImpactModerate impact

The conversations suggest that the publication influences public health communication and fosters awareness, but may not directly change policies yet.

Abstract in brief

  • The text discusses a naming scheme for different versions (variants) of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, to make it easier for people around the world to communicate about them.
  • It emphasizes the importance of having clear, consistent names for variants that are of interest or concern, helping scientists and public health officials coordinate their responses.
  • The goal is to create a naming system that promotes global understanding and discussion, minimizing confusion and improving the tracking and management of these virus variants.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Denis - The COVID Info Guy
@thecovidinfoguy.bsky.social · Bluesky

Queensland: GENOMIC ANALYSIS REPORT SARS-CoV-2 Surveillance: 25 August 2025

Aug 25, 2025 · 12 likes · 3 shares View post →
Denis - The COVID Info Guy
@thecovidinfoguy.bsky.social · Bluesky

QUEENSLAND GENOMIC ANALYSIS REPORT: 15 Sep 2025

Sep 22, 2025 · 12 likes · 2 shares View post →
Mark Pallen
@mjpallen · X

Our comment in @NatureMicrobiol "SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Interest and Concern naming scheme conducive for global discourse" now out here https://t.co/taeAB2RdOg With @Nature editorial "Embrace the WHO’s new naming system for coronavirus variants" here https://t.co/xIiMlz8De0

Jun 10, 2021 · 9 likes · 4 shares · 2,950 followers View post →
@MissKatsu #ClaudiaPresidentaDeMéxico
@Katsuragui · X

¡La Variante ÓMICRON en menos de 6 minutos! - (Animación) https://t.co/UU1wB9vAGI me encanto!

Jan 16, 2022 · 8 likes · 1 share · 26,372 followers View post →
Arinjay Banerjee
@sci_questions · X

SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Interest and Concern naming scheme conducive for global discourse. #COVID19 https://t.co/9XvrBSFkpo

Jun 10, 2021 · 2 likes · 9,441 followers View post →
Marco Vinicio P.P
@nusferatuzodd · X

https://t.co/56IBkxlpk5 Explicación del #Omicron @reyeslourdes @VanessaBauche @ZaideSilvia

Jan 20, 2022 · 1 like · 612 followers View post →

All mentions

Denis - The COVID Info Guy
@thecovidinfoguy.bsky.social · Bluesky

QUEENSLAND GENOMIC ANALYSIS REPORT: 15 Sep 2025

Sep 22, 2025 · 12 likes · 2 shares View post →
Denis - The COVID Info Guy
@thecovidinfoguy.bsky.social · Bluesky

Queensland: GENOMIC ANALYSIS REPORT SARS-CoV-2 Surveillance: 25 August 2025

Aug 25, 2025 · 12 likes · 3 shares View post →
Lauu V
@BLauuv · X

https://t.co/0ZaPY0dnsM

Apr 25, 2022 · 74 followers View post →
Colchasilla62%
@sillapatrio2017 · X

Variante #Omicron en 6 minutos https://t.co/bDn4GIUu97

Feb 14, 2022 · 12,255 followers View post →
BreakthroughMedicine&AdvancedResearchTools
@JayChance12 · X

#variants https://t.co/f0w0Nk6L7i . https://t.co/47Cnh4wHSd . https://t.co/EWXXWNQZFO . ➡️ https://t.co/k1aOjQ1hRG .

Jan 29, 2022 · 620 followers View post →
Inflables Divertiplay
@InflablesDp · X

¡La Variante ÓMICRON en menos de 6 minutos! - (Animación) https://t.co/q8JqYxjmMS a través de @YouTube

Jan 27, 2022 · 131 followers View post →
Marco Vinicio P.P
@nusferatuzodd · X

https://t.co/56IBkxlpk5 Explicación del #Omicron @reyeslourdes @VanessaBauche @ZaideSilvia

Jan 20, 2022 · 1 like · 612 followers View post →
Mirra Sara
@MirraSara1 · X

RT @Katsuragui: ¡La Variante ÓMICRON en menos de 6 minutos! - (Animación) https://t.co/UU1wB9vAGI me encanto!

Jan 16, 2022 · 1 share · 3,989 followers View post →
@MissKatsu #ClaudiaPresidentaDeMéxico
@Katsuragui · X

¡La Variante ÓMICRON en menos de 6 minutos! - (Animación) https://t.co/UU1wB9vAGI me encanto!

Jan 16, 2022 · 8 likes · 1 share · 26,372 followers View post →
valencia
@svalenciav17 · X

¡La Variante ÓMICRON en menos de 6 minutos! - (Animación) https://t.co/vSrMFStnPq vía @YouTube

Jan 12, 2022 · 279 followers View post →
Barry Pearson
@BarryCPearson · X

@Andywynn15 @MoniRuna7 @LukeDiamand @LauraWanek Are you seriously saying you don't know the naming structure of SARS-C0V-2 variants? "Tracking SARS-CoV-2 variants" https://t.co/vvuvfynv6K "SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Interest and Concern naming scheme conducive for global discourse" https://t.co/9CMLDY4yHi

Aug 15, 2021 · 2,522 followers View post →
Rachid Tahzima
@RTahzima · X

WHO Naming System to Organize Pandemic Viral Storms of SARS-CoV-2 VOCs/VOIs lineages and Next Ones

Jun 14, 2021 · 514 followers View post →
Hyoung-Won Park
@dalcrose · X

Konings, F., Perkins, M.D., Kuhn, J.H. et al. SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Interest and Concern naming scheme conducive for global discourse. Nat Microbiol (2021). https://t.co/xCe1U9Y2EY

Jun 11, 2021 · 1,500 followers View post →
Diag Bacteriology
@10minus6cosm · X

RT @mjpallen: Our comment in @NatureMicrobiol "SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Interest and Concern naming scheme conducive for global discourse" n…

Jun 10, 2021 · 4 shares · 1,178 followers View post →
Climent Casals-Pascual
@ccpox · X

RT @mjpallen: Our comment in @NatureMicrobiol "SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Interest and Concern naming scheme conducive for global discourse" n…

Jun 10, 2021 · 4 shares · 611 followers View post →
Dave Baker
@tweakyaustin · X

RT @mjpallen: Our comment in @NatureMicrobiol "SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Interest and Concern naming scheme conducive for global discourse" n…

Jun 10, 2021 · 4 shares · 1,471 followers View post →
Arinjay Banerjee
@sci_questions · X

SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Interest and Concern naming scheme conducive for global discourse. #COVID19 https://t.co/9XvrBSFkpo

Jun 10, 2021 · 2 likes · 9,441 followers View post →
Quadram Institute
@TheQuadram · X

RT @mjpallen: Our comment in @NatureMicrobiol "SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Interest and Concern naming scheme conducive for global discourse" n…

Jun 10, 2021 · 4 shares · 11,105 followers View post →
Margarida Tavares
@MargaridaID · X

SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Interest and Concern naming scheme conducive for global discourse | Nature Microbiology https://t.co/Tqb4mwg4UI

Jun 10, 2021 · 334 followers View post →
Mark Pallen
@mjpallen · X

Our comment in @NatureMicrobiol "SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Interest and Concern naming scheme conducive for global discourse" now out here https://t.co/taeAB2RdOg With @Nature editorial "Embrace the WHO’s new naming system for coronavirus variants" here https://t.co/xIiMlz8De0

Jun 10, 2021 · 9 likes · 4 shares · 2,950 followers View post →
HungryMicrobe
@hungrymicrobe · X

SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Interest and Concern naming scheme conducive for global discourse https://t.co/XK9XMb63El

Jun 9, 2021 · 1,450 followers View post →