Scientists are desperately trying to find out how effective the existing covid vaccine is against the new strain of coronavirus, Omicron, which has caused panic around the world.
According to a report in the New York Times, based on preliminary data, experts are of the opinion that this type is more contagious and capable of evading the body’s immune system or antibodies.
It is unknown at this time what he will do after leaving the post. However, vaccines such as Pfizer and Modern that have been developed using mRNA techniques should have the opportunity to be replaced with new variants as needed.
Pfizer and Moderna also said they were preparing to redesign the tick process if necessary.
Scientists in South Africa announced the identification of a new variant of the coronavirus last Tuesday. Researchers are identifying this new variant of the coronavirus as B1.1.529.
However, for the convenience of discussion, the World Health Organization has named it ‘Omicron’. The UN agency listed Omicron as a “variant of concern”.
The new strain of coronavirus has caused widespread panic around the world as it has begun to spread to other countries. Various countries are trying to stop its spread by imposing travel bans.
Jesse Bloom, a biologist at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, said:
Johnson & Johnson, along with US companies Moderna and Pfizer, already plans to test the effectiveness of their vaccines against an artificial version of Omicron.
Pfizer spokeswoman Jericho Pitts said: “Pfizer scientists will be able to change existing vaccines within six weeks and provide vaccines for new variants within 100 days.”
Moderna says their work began last Tuesday, shortly after the new variant was identified. The president of the organization said. Stephen Hogge claims that his company is the first to take action against such practices.
“It’s a Frankenstein,” he said of the frequent mutations in the coronavirus. It has sounded all our alarm bells. ”
Stephen Hogge said that if needed, Moderna would be able to bring a new version of its vaccine within two months and report the results of the effectiveness test within three months.
The two companies also plan to test whether the third dose of ticker or ‘booster dose’ is capable of preventing the transmission of the new variant.
In the case of previous types, Pfizer and Modern Ticker booster doses have been shown to significantly increase antibody levels.
Michael Nusenzweig, a pathologist at Rockefeller University in New York, said he and his colleagues were preparing to test the effectiveness of the mRNA vaccine against Omicron.
The pathologist said they would also test Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca vaccines and hoped to get results within a month.
However, he added that if a vaccine for Omicron could be developed in a few weeks, it would be a “miracle”.
Biologist Jesse Bloom says the coronavirus is changing faster than expected. So while the existing vaccine against Omicron is effective, a new version may be needed and it is very fast.