Astrazeneca, Oxford Work on Omicron Vaccine

AstraZeneca revealed that it is working on developing a vaccine for Omicron variant with Oxford, media agencies reported on Wednesday.

“Together with Oxford University, we have taken preliminary steps in producing an Omicron variant vaccine, in case it is needed and will be informed by emerging data,” AstraZeneca's Spokesperson said in a statement.

In the light of Omicron variant surge, several vaccine brands initiated the idea of developing the available vaccines to resist against the newest mutation of the virus.

Moreover, several drug makers selected booster shots solution to strengthen the impact of the vaccines in providing protection against the recently emerged strain.

In the same context, corporations started to test the impact of Omicron variant to available vaccines such as Pfizer, and Sputnik.

Pfizer said in a case study conducted in London, where the new mutation of Coronavirus take over Delta, that a third shot of vaccine can raise the vaccine's efficiency.

The new analysis revealed that two Pfizer vaccine doses are not enough to protect against the Omicron variant, so, adding the third vaccine dose provided more than 75% protection.

In addition, it succeeded in preventing the symptoms of COVID-19 by 75%.

Secretary Michael Gove warned the UK of the “deeply concerning situation,” adding: “Action is absolutely required, and as new data comes in we will consider what action we do require to take in the face of that data.”