The chief executive of Pfizer Inc. said on Wednesday that COVID-19 vaccines that specifically target Omicron and other variants are under development. He further explained that, after this, the company will be able to adapt the shots quickly as the virus mutates.
While the final approval decision rests with US regulations, “we are ready for it,” the drugmaker’s CEO Albert Boerla told MSNBC in an interview, noting that the Food and Drug Administration is convening a meeting later this month. Used to be.
In addition to Pfizer, Moderna is also working towards developing a potential new-age COVID vaccine that will target the Omicron variant as well as the original strain of the coronavirus.
Moderna said last week that a new version of its vaccine produced a better immune response against Omicron than the original shot, while the European Medicines Agency this week began a review of the variant-adapted COVID-19. Vaccines
How can an Omicron-specific vaccine be used?
Meanwhile last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) said that the modified coronavirus vaccine can be administered as a booster dose to boost immunity.
The variant-adapted vaccine could benefit people who have already received the primary series of shots, the agency’s panel on COVID-19 vaccine composition said, it added.
Vaccines can be considered for use globally by the agency once approval by an emergency use authority or a stringent national regulatory authority is granted.
(with inputs from agencies)