When will the Omicron specific vaccine arrive?

Due to the low effect of vaccines on Omicron, which has become the dominant variant in many countries, scientists were worried. That’s why pharmaceutical companies started work on vaccines specific to Omicron. US biotechnology company Moderna has announced that it has started clinical trials to examine the safety and efficacy of a special corona virus vaccine targeting the Omicron variant. In this context, a dose of Omicron vaccine was given to the first volunteer.

Moderna announced that clinical trials of the Omicron vaccine will include approximately 600 adult participants aged 18 years and older, split evenly between the two groups.

Participants in the first group will have previously had two doses of Moderna’s original vaccine, while participants in the second group will have had three doses. Participants in both groups will receive a single dose of a special vaccine developed for Omicron.

Moderna Publishes Third Dose Efficacy Data Against Omicron

Moderna also published data on how the third dose of the original vaccine, currently administered as a booster, in 50 micrograms, worked against Omicron.

Six months after the third dose of vaccine, antibodies that blocked Omicron infection decreased, but still remained detectable in all participants. The data showed that the enhancer provided protection against the variant, although it weakened over time.

6.3-fold Decrease in Antibodies was Observed

n the other hand, neutralizing antibodies triggered by the third available dose of Moderna decreased 6.3 times faster than the original version of the virus detected in Wuhan during the same time period.

However, Moderna’s CEO, Stephane Bancel, said that Moderna’s original third dose of vaccine was assured that the neutralizing antibodies remained detectable after six months.

“Nevertheless, given the long-term threat posed by Omicron’s immune escape, we are developing our Omicron-specific enhancer candidate,” Bancel said. said.

Bancel has previously said that people who get their third dose of vaccine last fall will likely have enough protection to get through this winter.

He cautioned, however, that as with the original two doses of vaccine, people may need a fourth shot in the fall of 2022, as the potency of the boosters will likely decrease.