The new Covid strain that carries more than 35 mutations has been a cause of worry. WHO has called it a “Variant of concern”. The variant first detected in South Africa has been detected in Hong Kong, Israel, Botswana and Belgium also.
Pfizer and BioNtech were asked about the efficacy of the vaccine on the new strain. The companies said that “We understand the concern of experts and have immediately initiated investigations on variant B.1.1.529.”
There are ongoing studies on the new virus and more data is expected within two weeks. The companies are hoping to make a vaccine within 100 days. Pfizer said that “In the event that the vaccine –escape variant emerges, Pfizer and BioNTech expect to be able to develop and produce a tailor made vaccine against the variant in approximately 100 days, subject to regulatory approval.”
Moderna is also testing two booster doses to check the efficacy against the new strain. The company said that “Moderna is already studying two multi-valent booster candidates in the clinic that were designed to anticipate mutations such as those that have emerged in the Omicron variant”.
Moderna is hopeful of a rapid advance in an Omicron specific booster shot.
Johnson and Johnson is also testing the effectiveness of its vaccine against the strain
