Vaccine makers are racing to update their COVID-19 shots against the newest coronavirus threat even before it’s clear a change is needed, just in case. It’s too soon to know how vaccines will hold up against omicron. Preliminary lab tests were mixed.
But authorities haven’t laid out what would trigger such a drastic step: If vaccine immunity against serious illness drops, or if a new mutant merely spreads faster?
If vaccines do need tweaking, there’s still another question: Should there be a separate omicron booster or a combination shot? And if it’s a combo, should it target the original strain along with omicron, or the currently dominant delta variant plus omicron? Here’s what we know.COVID-19 vaccines work by triggering production of antibodies that recognize and attack the spike protein that coats the coronavirus, and many are made with new technology flexible enough for easy updating.
Pfizer’s preliminary lab testing, released Wednesday, hint that might be the case but antibodies aren’t the only layer of defense. Vaccines also spur T cells that can prevent serious illness if someone does get infected, and Pfizer’s first tests showed, as expected, those don’t seem to be affected by omicron.“You’re really training your immune system not just to deal better with existing variants, but it actually prepares a broader repertoire to deal with new variants,” Dolsten said.
Norge Siste Nytt, Norge Overskrifter
Similar News:Du kan også lese nyheter som ligner på denne som vi har samlet inn fra andre nyhetskilder.
Here’s How Covid-19 Vaccine Makers Plan To Tackle OmicronI am a London-based reporter for Forbes covering breaking news. Previously, I have worked as a reporter for a specialist legal publication covering big data and as a freelance journalist and policy analyst covering science, tech and health. I have a master’s degree in Biological Natural Sciences and a master’s degree in the History and Philosophy of Science from the University of Cambridge. Follow me on Twitter theroberthart or email me at rhartforbes.com
Les mer »
Novavax COVID-19 vaccine could be approved very soon, says EMA chiefThe head of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) on Tuesday said that it could soon approve the COVID-19 vaccine developed by U.S. biotech company Novavax .
Les mer »
When will kids under 5 be able to get a COVID-19 vaccine?The latest data on Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine trials for young kids.
Les mer »
Pfizer, BioNTech say initial lab study showed 3 doses of COVID-19 vaccine neutralized omicron variantPfizer Inc. undefined and BioNTech SE undefined said results from an 'initial laboratory study' showed that their COVID-19 vaccine neutralized the omicron...
Les mer »
Pfizer, ex-employee reach accord over COVID-19 vaccine secretsPfizer Inc has reached a truce with a former longtime employee it sued two weeks ago for allegedly stealing confidential documents related to its COVID-19 vaccine and other drugs.
Les mer »
Judge Temporarily Halts New York City Covid-19 Vaccine Mandate for Public WorkersNew York Supreme Court Justice Frank Nervo on Tuesday set a hearing on the requirement for Dec. 14, and said the city couldn’t enforce the rules in the meantime.
Les mer »