Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) and its partner BioNTech SE (NSDQ:BNTX) have launched a clinical trial to test an omicron-specific version of their COVID-19 vaccine.
The two companies initially vowed to launch the updated vaccine by the end of March, but that goal may shift depending on the volume of clinical data regulators demand, according to BioNTech.
In the meantime, a number of countries have begun administering a fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose to immunocompromised individuals. In addition, Israel and Denmark have started offering a fourth dose to the public.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has stated it wants to see data showing that updated vaccines lead to higher neutralizing antibody levels than first-generation vaccines while potentially bolstering the protection against emerging variants.
Moderna is also working on an omicron-specific vaccine, but it won’t likely be available until August.
Filed Under: Infectious Disease
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