Health officials say Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine appears to work against a key mutation in new variants of coronavirus.

Two new variants considered more contagious were first identified in the U.K. and South Africa.

Researchers at Pfizer and The University of Texas used a mutation found in both variants to create a version of the virus.

The researchers tested it against blood from 20 people who had received two doses of the vaccine as part of the clinical trial.

Researchers found no reduction in neutralization activity.

The study did not test the vaccine against the full array of mutations. However, researchers say both Pfizer and Moderna used technology that would allow them to quickly adapt for mutations.

The news comes as hospitals scramble to ramp up vaccinations ahead of today's deadline.

As News 12 has reported, today is the deadline for all hospitals statewide to use their entire COVID-19 supply.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said if the supply is not used, hospitals could face fines of up to $100,000.