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Pharmaceutical industry

Pfizer and Moderna Racing to Develop Omicron-Specific Vaccines

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Pfizer, the American multinational pharmaceutical corporation, has announced that a COVID-19 vaccine targeting the Omicron variant will be ready by March, as Omicron now accounts for more than 98% of all new COVID-19 cases in the United States. Meanwhile, Moderna, another leading pharmaceutical company, is also developing an Omicron-specific vaccine, which it expects to advance into clinical trials in early 2022. While booster shots remain the best defense against Omicron, experts emphasize that getting vaccinated is crucial to preventing the spread of the virus.

Key Takeaways:

  • Pfizer is working to develop a COVID-19 vaccine specifically targeting the Omicron variant, with an expected release in March.
  • Omicron now accounts for more than 98% of all new COVID-19 cases in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  • Moderna is also developing an Omicron-specific vaccine, which it expects to advance into clinical trials in early 2022.
  • Booster shots provide up to 75% effectiveness at preventing symptomatic COVID-19 infection caused by Omicron, according to a recent study from the UK Health Security Agency.
  • Pfizer expects to be able to develop and produce a tailor-made vaccine against any future variant in approximately 100 days, subject to regulatory approval.
  • In the event that a third dose of the current vaccine is not found to protect against the Omicron variant or other future variants, Pfizer plans to develop a new vaccine.
  • White House chief medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci has urged Americans to get booster shots, which provide the best protection against Omicron.

Statistics:

  • Omicron now accounts for more than 98% of all new COVID-19 cases in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  • Booster shots provide up to 75% effectiveness at preventing symptomatic COVID-19 infection caused by Omicron, according to a recent study from the UK Health Security Agency.
  • Pfizer expects to be able to develop and produce a tailor-made vaccine against any future variant in approximately 100 days, subject to regulatory approval.
  • The Omicron variant is expected to advance into clinical trials in early 2022, according to Moderna's statement.

Sources:

  • CBS News
  • Moderna Inc.

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