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Scientists are still conducting research on the recently discovered new variant of the coronavirus – Omicron. Of greatest concern is the number of mutations on the surface of the pathogen. A few days ago, representatives of Moderna, AstraZeneki, Johnson & Johnson and BioNTech spoke on the effectiveness of vaccines. On December 8, BioNTech was the first to take an official position on this matter.
- The appearance of the Omikron variant questioned the effectiveness of the vaccines used so far
- The positions of BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneki and Johnson & Johnson appeared in the media
- Companies ensure that vaccines continue to protect against severe COVID-19, while work is underway to modernize their content
- On December 8, Pfizer and BioNTech announced the results of research on protection against Omikron infection after taking three doses of the preparation. As it turned out?
- More information can be found on the Onet homepage
What distinguishes the Omikron variant?
The Omikron variant was first diagnosed in southern Africa in mid-November 2021. The studies carried out so far have established that, compared to the most infectious Delta variant so far, Omikron distinguishes 50 mutations, including 30 in the spike protein responsible for infecting the host. The question then arose as to whether Omikron was more contagious and therefore whether vaccines were effective against it.
- Omikron variant – everything we know about it
Preliminary data from South Africa suggest a higher risk of reinfection for those cured or vaccinated, WHO Secretary General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus recently admitted, stressing that more data is needed to draw stronger conclusions. There is also evidence that Omikron causes less severe symptoms than Delta, the most common variant now, but again it’s too early to be sure – added.
At the moment, no one really knows for sure what protection against the new variant is provided by the current COVID-19 vaccines. However, vaccine manufacturers have spoken out on the matter. On November 30, CTV News published the positions of individual companies responsible for creating vaccines. On December 8, the first official statement regarding the effectiveness of the preparation against the Omikron variant appeared – it was issued by Pfizer and BioNTech and this is good news.
Moderna company stand
Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel told The Financial Times that the vaccine may not provide effective protection against Omikron, as was the case with previous variants. Stephane Bancel admitted that it is likely that all vaccines will have to be modified due to mutations in the spike protein of the Omikron variant.
It would take Moderna three months to produce a vaccine specifically for Omicron, Moderna’s medical director Dr. Paul Burton said last week.
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AstraZeneka’s stand
On Tuesday, November 30, 2021, the University of Oxford, which together with AstraZeneka developed the Vaxzevria COVID-19 vaccine, issued a statement stating that there was no evidence that vaccination would not prevent severe disease caused by the Omikron variant.
In addition, the university added that it has the necessary tools to modernize the vaccine if necessary.
Until we know more, we should be careful and take steps to slow the spread of this new variant – the vaccinologist prof. Dame Sarah Gilbert, who co-developed the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.
Johnson & Johnson Company Position
On Monday, November 29, a statement from Johnson & Johnson also came out, admitting it “closely monitors emerging COVID-19 variants” and “evaluates the effectiveness of its COVID-19 vaccine in all variants,” including Omikron .
- Prof. Marten about the new variant: Let’s not get hysterical
“The company is testing the blood serum of patients who have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, as well as a booster vaccination to test the neutralizing effect of the Omikron variant,” the release reads. Scientists at Johnson & Johnson are also working to modernize the vaccine to make it work on Omikron. “If necessary, we will quickly bring it into clinical trials”.
First official position: BioNTech on protecting the vaccine from Omicron
On December 8, Pfizer and BioNTech announced the results of studies on protection against Omikron infection after taking three doses of the preparation (they were conducted by analyzing the blood of people who had taken the third dose a month earlier). Three doses of our COVID-19 vaccine generate enough antibodies to fight infection with the new variant of the Omikron coronavirus, the companies said.
It was also emphasized that although two doses of the vaccine gave lower protection against Omicron, the third injection increased the production of antibodies by a factor of 25. “ The best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is to ensure that as many people as possible receive two doses of the vaccine plus a booster injection, ” said Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla.
As noted by the Reuters Agency, this is the first official position of companies producing vaccines against COVID-19 regarding the effectiveness of the preparation against the Omikron variant. Similar statements from Moderna and Johnson & Johnson can be expected in the near future.
Earlier, the CEO of BioNTech Ugun Sahin informed that the laboratory is conducting research to improve the vaccine, but it is not certain whether it will be necessary. Last week, the company said it could produce a vaccine tailored to Omicron’s needs in “around 100 days” subject to regulatory approval (from cbsnews.com).
Also read:
- The most dangerous variants of the coronavirus. What do we know about them?
- Where did the new Omikron variant arrive? [MAP]
- Will two doses of the vaccine protect against Omicron? [WE EXPLAIN]
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