If the new variant Omicron is resistant to the current vaccine, Pfizer will be able to make and distribute an updated version of the vaccine within 100 days.
The variant was first detected in South Africa. It has spread to several other countries, including Israel and Belgium, prompting travel restrictions across Europe, Asia, and North America. Two cases of the variant have been found in the UK.
The variant has multiple changes that make it easier to evade the antibodies that developed after receiving a vaccine. The variant could spread easily among people who are vaccine free.
The World Health Organization has labeled Omicron a "variant of concern-sars-cov-2-variant-of-concern." The last one to receive the label was Delta, the variant that surged all summer.
It's not clear if existing COVID-19 vaccines will protect against the variant. Pfizer is considering their options.
In the event of an escape variant, initial batches of the vaccine will be shipped within 100 days.
Pfizer expects to know within two weeks if the variant is resistant to its current vaccine.
We expect more data from the laboratory tests in two weeks. The data will give more information about whether B. 1.1.529 could be an escape variant that requires an adjustment of the vaccine.
Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are also preparing to respond.
Moderna said on Friday that it plans to test a variant-specific booster in the event that its current vaccine is not effective against the Omicron.
As we seek to defeat the pandemic, it is imperative that we are proactive. Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel said in a press release that the Omicron variant is concerning and that they have been moving as fast as possible to address it.
The vaccine against the Omicron variant is being tested by Johnson & Johnson.
