Pfizer is now testing its new Omicron-based shot.
Pfizer CEO Dr. Albert Bourla said: “We are looking to see if we can create a vaccine that covers Omicron and doesn’t forget the other variance.”
In a news release, the drug maker announced its trial includes fourteen hundred healthy adults in three groups people who received two doses of the current vaccine will receive one or two doses of the omicron based shot.
Those who’ve had three shots will receive a dose of the current vaccine or the new one and a third group that’s vaccine naive or unvaccinated, will receive three doses of the Omicron-based shot.
Recent studies do show third doses or booster shots of current mRNA vaccines are ninety percent effective at preventing Omicron hospitalizations.
But experts say an Omicron-base shot could protect people from even getting infected, “unless if something completely different comes out,” said by Dr. Albert Bourla.
In other words, there is no way of knowing whether the next variant of concern will resemble Omicron or not.
But researchers are already investigating a variant that’s being called Omicron’s twin.
Virologist Angela Rasmussen said: “So we don’t really know if BA.2 is going to become a thing that we need to worry about.”
Scientists say BA.2 might be more contagious. It now accounts for roughly half of all current infections in Denmark.
As Angela Rasmussen continued: “What is important to remember here is that Denmark is not Canada. Denmark is a different population with different vaccine uptake, different medical histories and demographics.”
Infectious disease specialist Dr. Michael Gardam said: “Can you get infection with the original strain of Omicron and then two months later, this BA.2 variant comes around and now you get reinfected again. I mean, I think that’s one of the biggest questions.”
So far, there have been a small number of BA.2 reinfections. The hope is those who have already encountered Omicron are protected.
Pfizer says results from its Omicron-based vaccine trial will take months, but the shot could come in handy.
Resource: CBC News