Jan 25, 2022.
Pfizer and BioNTech have begun a clinical trial for their vaccine against coronaviruses, the companies announced Tuesday, as vaccine makers scramble to reformulate shots to target the infectious variant.
Pfizer is conducting clinical trials for a vaccine.
The vaccine will be evaluated for safety, tolerability, and strength of immune response in up to 1,420 healthy adults.
The companies will test the vaccine in unvaccinated people as part of a three-shot course, as a booster shot in those who have received two Pfizer-BioNTech doses already and as a fourth dose for people who have already had three Pfizer-BioNTech shots.
A fourth dose of the vaccine will be compared with a fourth dose of the original vaccine.
Four billion doses of manufacturing capacity will not change if they pivot to an omicron-specific shot.
The ability of Omicron to evade the immune defenses of vaccine recipients allowed it to quickly spread across the globe. Studies show that people who arevaccinated are protected against serious illness, hospitalization and death compared to unvaccinated people.
Pfizer and BioNTech are two of the major vaccine makers who are developing shots specifically targeting omicron. Pfizer and Moderna, which are built using technology that can be altered and manufactured faster than many traditional vaccines, have said their omicron shots could be ready by March.
You need to know how well the vaccine protects you against Omicron.
Live updates on the coronaviruses.
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