South African variant Omicron, vaccines: Pfizer and Moderna, news

Does the South African variant pierce the vaccines? The danger of the new African variant, called Omicron, is not yet clear. Meanwhile, Pfizer and Moderna set in motion to update the mRna vaccines and to counter the variant, characterized by a significant amount of mutations on the Spike protein. Pfizer quantifies the time required for the development of a specific vaccine to be 100 days. Also Read “In the event that a vaccine escape variant emerges, Pfizer and BioNTech expect to be able to develop and manufacture a bespoke vaccine against that variant in approximately 100 days, subject to regulatory approval,” a statement read. “We are constantly continuing with surveillance efforts focused on monitoring emerging variants that potentially escape vaccine protection. As always – they conclude – we will continue to follow the science as we examine the best approaches to protect people from Covid.” to be at work to study the African variant and evaluate any changes to the covid vaccine. “We understand the concern of the experts and have immediately initiated the investigation into variant B.1.1.529”, identified in particular in South Africa. “The variant differs considerably from the variants observed previously because it has additional localized mutations in the Spike protein. We expect more data from laboratory tests in two weeks at the latest,” said a Pfizer spokesperson to the French all news channel BfmTv. it does not refer to a detailed time schedule. The company aims to develop a specific booster dose of the vaccine “rapidly”. “From the beginning, we have said that as we try to defeat the pandemic, it is imperative to be proactive as the virus evolves. Mutations in the Omicron variant are concerning and for several days we have been moving as fast as possible to implement our strategy to addressing this variant “, states in a note is the CEO of Moderna, Stéphane Bancel.” We have three lines of defense that we are pursuing in parallel: we have already evaluated a booster with a higher dose of mRNA-1273 (100 µg). secondly, we are already studying two multivalent booster candidates in the clinic that have been designed to anticipate mutations such as those that have emerged in the Omicron variant and data is expected in the coming weeks and, thirdly, we are rapidly advancing an Omicron-specific booster candidate (mRNA- 1273.529) “.