Pfizer and BioNTech have begun clinical trials of a new Covid vaccine targetting the Omicron variant. The test will be done as protection gained from booster jab and as three separate jabs in unvaccinated people.
More than 1,400 adults are likely to be enrolled in the trial. Moderna is planning to begin trials of its own Omicron-specific shot soon.
Oxford University and AstraZeneca have also begun working on a new version of their vaccine.
However, the vaccine developers had always planned to tweak their original Covid vaccines for future variants.
But the arrival of this highly-transmissible Omicron strain in the last two months has hastened that process.
Several countries are now offering a booster or third dose of their original vaccines.
These have also shown providing a good level of protection against serious illness and death – even against Omicron.
Experts have been warning against lowering guards. We need to stay vigilant against the coronavirus.
Developing and investigating variant-based vaccines is one essential tool to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.
Until proven, doubts remain over whether an updated vaccine would be any better than the current versions.
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