Trial Begins For Omicron Specific Vaccine; Pfizer & BioNTech In The Lead

The Coronavirus first originated in China at the end of 2019. The virus has increased its strength with each passing year and has become a super spreader.

Trial Begins For Omicron Specific Vaccine; Pfizer & BioNTech In The Lead

The virus is constantly changing its characteristics, forming new strains. Each strain is different from one another. Some are powerful, while some are sustainable.

With the advent of this virus, all pharmaceutical companies worldwide had started to create vaccines that could be a powerful weapon to fight against this virus. Many companies from various parts of the world were successful in doing so. Two doses of vaccines were already launched after many trials, and they succeeded pretty well.

But the Coronavirus is changing its traits by mutation. So, after many kinds of research WHO (The World Health Organisation) with the help of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) and its COVID-19 Vaccines Working Group, continues to explore the arising verification on the requirement for and timing of a booster dose for the currently available covid-19 vaccines which have obtained EUL (Emergency Use Listing).

Previously two doses of vaccines were required to combat Coronavirus. But the power is gradually decreasing over time. Hence, a booster dose is essential to increase the intensity of immunity for a more extended period.

Both Pfizer and BioNTech have decided to run a booster dose trial for the omicron variant in adults aged 18 – 55 years. The trial will decide whether the vaccine is functional in the current situation. One thousand four hundred twenty healthy volunteers will take part in this trial. There will be three categories:

• Cohort #1 (n = 615): in this group, one or two doses of the new jab will be given to those who had obtained the current two doses of the vaccine of Pfizer and BioNTech 3 to 6 months before this trial.
• Cohort #2 (n = 600): here, participants would receive only one dose of the new jab who had already taken the three doses of the current vaccine of Pfizer and BioNTech 3 to 6 months before this trial.
• Cohort #3 (n=205):All three doses of omicron variant jab would be given in this group.

The companies are trying to maintain the people who have obtained the new vaccine. The companies have declared that they will manufacture 4 billion vaccine doses in 2022. The main aim of this vaccine is to act as a shield against significant ailments.

The omicron virus is the current strain that is the most contagious to date and to terminate this virus. Potent vaccines are needed. Though the vaccine has been reformed, there is still uncertainty on the action of the dose.

In this coronavirus, nearly 5.6 million people have died worldwide since its onset in CHINA. Again, many contemporary pieces of research have pointed out that this booster dose would continue to act as a protection shield to many acute illnesses and hospitalization with omicron.

A new U.S report suggests that the omicron does not result in acute health conditions based on Britain and South Africa data. According to CDC (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) during the omicron outburst, 13% of the hospitalized patients were transferred to the intensive care unit while 18% were critical during the earlier waves. So, these companies are making initiatives to give an extra level of protection over time. 

The study of the results will take many months as the participants will have to go through several doses. They will have to wait to estimate how long the vaccine combats with the antibodies at a higher proportion. Now all will have to wait and see if the modified vaccine is secured and can generate the same potential to build a high immune system.