Sign in Subscribe
Pharmaceutical industry

Vaccine Manufacturers Rush to Develop Omicron-Specific Shots as Global Response Intensifies

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Concerns about the emergence of the Omicron coronavirus variant have prompted vaccine manufacturers to accelerate the development of tailored shots. The rapid global response to the variant's spread has led countries to impose travel curbs and other restrictions, fueled by worries that it could spread quickly even among vaccinated populations. As the world waits with bated breath for clarity on the effectiveness of existing vaccines against Omicron, BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson are working on new vaccines specifically designed to target the variant.

Key Takeaways:

  • BioNTech has started working on a vaccine tailored to Omicron, in partnership with Pfizer.
  • Moderna expects it could take months to begin shipping an Omicron-specific vaccine, with CEO Stéphane Bancel citing the need for more clarity on the effectiveness of existing vaccines against the variant, expected in about two weeks.
  • Johnson & Johnson is evaluating the effectiveness of its COVID-19 vaccine against Omicron and has begun work on a new vaccine specifically targeting the variant.
  • A top South African infectious disease expert has stated that Omicron appears to be more transmissible than previous variants, including to people with immunity from vaccination or prior infection.
  • Mathai Mammen, global head of research for J&J's pharmaceuticals unit, has confirmed that the company is designing and developing a new vaccine against Omicron with rapid progression to clinical studies if needed.

Statistics:

  • The effectiveness of existing COVID-19 vaccines against Omicron is currently unknown, with experts expecting more clarity in about two weeks.
  • It may take months for Moderna to begin shipping an Omicron-specific vaccine.
  • Omicron appears to be more transmissible than previous variants, including to people with immunity from vaccination or prior infection.

Sources:

  • "BioNTech starts design of Omicron-tailored vaccine" on CNBC, not specified
  • "Moderna CEO says it could take months to start shipping Omicron vaccine" on CNBC, not specified
  • "Johnson & Johnson begins work on Omicron vaccine, saying variant could evade immunity" on CNBC, not specified
  • "South African expert says Omicron variant more transmissible" on Cyprus Mail, 2021

Read more