AstraZeneca recently announced to have collaborated with Oxford University to develop a vaccine for the Omicron Coronavirus variant, joining the growing list of vaccine developers that are currently working on creating the vaccine.

The drugmaker claimed that it has been working with Oxford University in taking preliminary measures to produce an Omicron variant vaccine and if it is required, will be guided by new emerging data. 

However, Oxford is yet to comment on the recent developments. Dr. Sandy Douglas, a study group leader at Oxford, was the first to reveal the finding. Dr. Douglas claimed that Adenovirus-based vaccines (like Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 dose) might theoretically be employed to respond to any novel variant more quickly.

It is worth noting that AstraZeneca's antibody cocktail Evusheld was discovered to have a neutralizing effect against the Omicron variant in a lab testing last week. Even Pfizer and Moderna have claimed their COVID-19 booster shots are effective in neutralizing the new variant.

Speaking of which, Pfizer is eyeing a fourth dose to provide more protection against the Omicron variant, while Moderna as well as Johnson & Johnson have stated they are looking into vaccines that will specifically target the variant.

Sources confirmed that Moderna will begin its clinical studies early next year.

According to a growing number of early pieces of evidence, COVID-19 vaccines cannot provide any protection against the extremely contagious Omicron variant which makes it crucial for all vaccine manufacturers to start developing an effective vaccine for the perilous variant, as soon as possible.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has also announced the discovery of the Omicron, which was initially found in South Africa, as a variant of concern. The United States later reported its first case in California and since then, the variant has been recorded in at least 48 of the 50 states, contributing to a spike in COVID-19 cases.

Source credits-

https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/pharma/astrazeneca-oxford-aim-to-produce-omicron-targeted-vaccine/88425402