ASGE President, Dr. Klaus Mergener, had the opportunity to interview Dr. Florian Krammer, Professor of Microbiology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Their conversation was on covered observations related to the rise and falls in the volume of COVID cases ASGE membership has observed and its impact on healthcare systems and GI practices. A review of the two COVID-19 vaccines, one manufactured by Pfizer-BioNTech and another by Moderna was discussed. This followed an understanding on several other vaccines that are emerging in development, some nearing final stages for review and approval for use. Dr. Mergener then discussed the identified variant mutations, B.1.1.7 (UK), B.1.351 (S. Africa) and P.1 (Brazil). Listen to this important discussion that highlights current state of COVID, vaccination implementation and what scientists understand currently on the variant mutations.