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The WHO (World Health Organization) recommends that vulnerable people and those over 60 do not travel. The Omicron variant is worrying because it could be very contagious, but also because in the face of it, the effectiveness of vaccines remains uncertain.
Since its appearance less than a week ago, Omicron has become the center of attention of the scientific community and poses a central question: will the current vaccines be potent enough against this new variant? Will the booster dose be sufficient? Omicron has a peculiarity: the number of its mutations are much more numerous than on the Delta variant. However, the Institut Pasteur wants to be confident. “We know exactly the sequence of this virus […] It is not expected to be completely resistant to vaccination “, announces Olivier Schwartz, head of the virus and immunity unit at the Institut Pasteur.
The main laboratories on the planet have already started analyzes to check whether their vaccine is resistant to Omicron. But to be more effective, will a new vaccine be needed? According to Steve Pascolo, immunologist and researcher at the University Hospital of Zurich, the messenger RNA technology, used by Pfizer or Moderna, is able to adapt if necessary. Moderna says she can be ready in six or seven months. Pfizer announces that it wants to go faster, in less than 100 days. A speed that puzzles the scientific council. While waiting for a potential new vaccine, Moderna proposes to increase the dosage of the booster, to protect itself from Omicron.
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