Nextstrain, co-developed by Trevor Bedford of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Institute, is vital in tracking the spread of SARS-CoV-2 by open-sourcing data to enhance epidemiological understanding and public health responses. Bedford's team analyzed vaccine distribution in 2021 and the potential antigenic drift of the virus, suggesting that while the vaccine efficacy remains high, ongoing surveillance of viral mutations is crucial to address potential antigenic changes over time. The research highlights the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 behaving similarly to influenza, necessitating periodic updates to vaccines, although current variants are not expected to significantly impact the 2021 vaccine rollout.