[Dismas]

Pfizer's CSO has weighed in on what the company's plans are in a worst-case scenario regarding the new variant of COVID-19.

In a previous thread the possibility of a future variant bypassing vaccines was discussed, Omicron may be that variant.

Moderna's CEO has commented:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/moderna-vac...ctiveness/

BioNTech's founder has commented:
https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/58...y-ill-from

Mikael Dolsten, Pfizer's chief scientific officer, told Insider the drugmaker was already preparing for the worst-case scenario: A shot specific to the Omicron variant will be needed. But before he draws that conclusion, Dolsten is watching how two unknown elements play out in the next few weeks, he said.

The first unknown is how well the current vaccines hold up against Omicron. The answer won't be a binary yes or no but a sliding scale of protection.

Experts generally do not anticipate that Omicron will completely evade all protection from the current shots. Previous research suggested many more mutations were needed to reach that point.

But other variants of concern, including the Beta and Delta strains, have shown they can diminish vaccine protection. Omicron may be more concerning because it has far more mutations on the spike protein, which is the target of vaccines.

Most experts expect Omicron to decrease levels of neutralizing antibodies, virus-fighting proteins that play a key role in our immune response. The question that laboratory testing will help answer is just how much of a decline this variant can cause.

Dolsten said a tenfold decrease in antibodies would make him concerned that the current vaccines wouldn't be sufficient and an Omicron-specific shot would be needed.

Read More: https://www.yahoo.com/news/pfizers-top-s...43887.html

[mothered]

I've read about the Omicron variant a few days ago, and It's certainly concerning to say the least.

I'd say we'll be experiencing another year of lockdowns In 2022.

[SpotnikSignal]

And that while thinking this would only last a few weeks in the beginning of the pandemic. I remember being scared that the virus would
spread in India creating new variants. Now we are at variant omicron. I guess it's natures way of saying we are with too many. Sad to see
so many having a hard time, there's almost no group that has it better while this shite is going on.

[Catotic]

I've read about the Omicron and seems to spread a lot faster but not so dangerous.