[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Major COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers such as Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson (J&J) have launched investigations into the Omicron variant, which has raised concerns about the potential neutralization of vaccines.
On the 27th (local time), Pfizer announced this and stated, "We expect to obtain experimental data within two weeks at the latest," adding, "If we improve our existing vaccine, we will see if it can be applied to the Omicron variant."
Pfizer said it can adapt its existing vaccine to the Omicron variant within six weeks and, if confirmed as an 'escape variant' through additional experimental data, could begin deliveries within 100 days.
J&J, which developed the Janssen vaccine, is also testing the Omicron variant. J&J said, "We are closely monitoring the new variant with mutations in the spike protein," and "We are already testing the performance of our vaccine against the Omicron variant."
AstraZeneca is conducting research in places where the Omicron variant has been confirmed, such as Botswana and Eswatini. AstraZeneca claimed, "Our vaccine can respond quickly to new mutations."
Moderna stated that booster shots are currently the only method. Moderna said, "The Omicron variant is reducing the herd immunity effect gained from vaccines," and "We will conduct various tests on the effectiveness of booster shots against Omicron."
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