The new variant of the coronavirus 'Omicron', which has emerged in South Africa, is being described as more lethal than its predecessors, and many African countries, including South Africa, are working to prevent this variant in several countries around the world. Incoming flights are banned.
In the current situation, questions are being raised as to whether the vaccines already available for coronavirus will be able to protect against this new variant.
Pfizer and BioNTech
More information is expected in the next two weeks on a new variant of the coronavirus to be diagnosed in South Africa, according to bio-vaccine maker BioNTech. It will then be possible to find out whether the coronavirus vaccine developed with Pfizer will have to be re-worked.
Pfizer and BioNTech say they will be able to develop vaccines to deal with the new variant in about 100 days if needed.
A statement from BioNTech said that they were aware of the experts' concerns. And immediately started researching the new variant.
The statement added that they hope to receive more data in the next two weeks to determine whether their vaccine is also effective against the Coronavirus Omicron.
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Moderna, Inc
Another Corona vaccine company, Moderna, Inc, says it is working on a new variant.
Moderna has stated that a booster shot is the only solution to boost immunity at this time.
AstraZeneca
Corona vaccine maker AstraZeneca says it is examining the effects of the new variant and hopes the vaccine will be effective against the variant.
The company says it is researching a new variant of the COVID-19 to determine if the vaccine it develops is effective against that variant.
AstraZeneca says it is conducting research in Botswana and Eswatini to provide the company with factual information.
The company claims its vaccine has proven to be effective against all variants of the corona.
Novavax
Novavax, on the other hand, says it has begun work on a variant emerging from South Africa and will be ready for vaccine testing and manufacturing in the next few weeks.
Keep in mind that the vaccine developed by Novavax contains the coronavirus in its original form, which boosts the immune system instead of causing the disease.
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The company says it has also begun work on a protein for the new variant, which could take weeks.
What are the symptoms of the new coronavirus variant Omicron?
Experts say the symptoms of this new variant of coronavirus are largely the same as those seen earlier, such as:
- fever
- cough
- fatigue
- loss of taste
- loss of sense of smell
and more severe shortness of breath. These include difficulty breathing and chest pain. Experts say that the symptoms of this variant may be more severe than other variants.