The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that even if the new coronavirus variant has caused concerns around the world, countries impose travel bans, and researchers are racing to study whether it will evade vaccination, Omicron poses a “very high” risk globally.

As omicron cases are reported all over the world, vaccine manufacturers say they are working on vaccines that can deal with this new strain.

Pfizer

Albert Bourla, the CEO of the American drugmaker, stated that Pfizer has begun working on a version of its Covid-19 vaccine that specifically targets the new Omicron variant in case of current vaccination Not valid for the latest strains.

Bourla told CNBC that his company started testing the current vaccine against the Omicron variant on Friday, which was reported for the first time in South Africa and renewed concerns about the global wave of Covid-19 infections. “I don’t think the result will be that the vaccine does not provide protection,” Burla said. But testing may show that existing vaccines are “less protected,” which means that “we need to develop a new vaccine,” Bourla said. Bourla said he is also “very confident” that Pfizer’s recently launched antiviral pills will be used as a treatment for infections caused by mutations, including Omicron.

Moderna Inc, another leading Covid-19 vaccine manufacturer, said it is developing A booster for new variants. Moderna’s Chief Medical Officer Paul Burton stated on the BBC’s “Andrew Mar Show” on Sunday that “people who have been vaccinated should still be protected, depending on how long they have been vaccinated. The best advice for now is to get the current Covid vaccine.

One. Johnson & Johnson also said on Monday that it is “seeking a vaccine specific to Omicron.” Variation vaccines and will improve them as needed.” The British-Swiss pharmaceutical company said it is studying omicron’s vaccine and its antibodies The effect of the mixture, and hope that its combination of drugs can maintain effective cy.

“As with any emerging variant, we are studying B.1.1.529 to learn more about it and its impact on the vaccine,” AstraZeneca said in a statement.

News Source : Hindustan Times